Do we realize that Jesus is speaking a personal word to each one of us right now? We go through our day caught up in our own thoughts and listening to the words of other people. Yet do I realize that amidst the clutter of thoughts and words, Jesus has something to say to me right now? Am I listening to him? Or do I prefer to listen to the noise of my own mind?
We can get an idea of what Jesus sounds like and what messages he gives by listening to what he said to Peter (Matthew 14:22-36). Jesus had sent the disciples on their way as he retired to the mountain to pray.
“Meanwhile the boat (containing the disciples), already a few miles off shore, was being tossed by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they said, and they cried out in fear.”
The disciples were struggling against the wind and were being “tossed” by the waves. They were in deep trouble. No doubt they were afraid, though probably wouldn’t admit it. But when they saw Jesus, they could no longer contain their fear. They may have been able to handle the sea, but not a ghost. They were afraid of ghosts!
Jesus then spoke a word to Peter and the others:
“At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Could it be that Jesus is speaking this same word to some of us right now? Notice that Jesus delivered his word “at once.” He wanted to bring immediate assurance to his disciples as they were gripped with fear. He didn’t stand by and enjoy watching these grown men being afraid of ghosts.
Is Jesus telling me to take courage? Is he assuring me that it is he approaching me? Is he telling me to let go of my fears?
Peter must have caught the “courage” part because he spoke up and said:
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’”
A brief injection of courage was all Peter needed to take a wild risk. Was he sure it was Jesus he saw? Before jumping onto the lake he said, “if it is you.” He may have wondered if it was a ghost after all.
Jesus then said a second word to Peter:
“Come.”
Jesus seldom speaks in lengthy paragraphs. With one word he offered his support and approval to Peter.
We know what happened next. Peter jumped onto the water and started walking proudly and confidently toward Jesus. Then he began to think about what he was doing and started shaking and slowing down. At a moment he came to his senses, stared down at the rough sea, and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!”
Then came Jesus’ third word:
“Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt.’”
Jesus did not tell Peter to wait outside his office for a while; he acted immediately. He then pointed to the root of Peter’s fear—his weak faith. Once Peter shifted his attention from Jesus to his own thoughts, he lost his courage and began to sink into the sea. Peter learned the hard way. Little by little he was being taught to rely on Jesus rather than his own fear-based thinking. Why do we prefer to dwell on our own thoughts than on the words of Jesus?
Do I see any of myself in Peter? What am I afraid of? Could it be that I am afraid even when I sense Jesus coming to me? Would I like to take a risk, but choose the safety of being in my boat instead? No matter how I am feeling or what I am doing right now, Jesus is speaking to me the word that I most need to hear. He is giving me a word of encouragement, assurance and peace.
“Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense” (Ps 51:3).
