"Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:29-31)
I am pretty sure you remember this story - if you don't let me remind you. After a busy day of teaching and miracles, Jesus sent the disciples to the other side of the lake. On their way, they faced a strong wind, and then they saw Jesus walking on water toward them. Peter asked Jesus to command him to walk on water as well and even walked for a while, but then the story described above happened.
Not too long ago a heard a sermon when the speaker asked a question: when did Peter start to doubt? The moment He saw the wind led him to doubt which made him fall. The Bible doesn't say that the wind picked up or changed at all. It's just at that moment Peter noticed the wind, turning His gaze away from his destination - from Jesus.
You can find many interesting lessons in this story, but today I want to talk about how in our lives we often find ourselves in similar situations, and also try and answer Jesus' question: "Why did you doubt?"
What Are You Looking At?
The author of Hebrews wrote: "Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" (Heb. 12:2). Lately this revelation lives in my heart - that it's very important to keep looking and Christ, to always keep Him in sight.
Whatever the circumstances are, I want to always remember my purpose (to glorify the Lord with my life), I want to always feel His presence and His support, I want to move in the direction He chose for me, I want to please Him with everything I do.
And all that is impossible to do if something different holds my attention. It's easy to get distracted though (this is why I need such reminders!) When I started thinking about why my focus can be shifted from Jesus, I remembered the parable of the sower. Even though it seems like this story has no relation to this topic, it shows human nature very well.
Four Soils
The whole parable is described in Matthew chapter 13, I will only quote the explanation that Jesus gave His disciples.
“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:
The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.
The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matt. 13:18-23)
Thorns And Worries
What are "the worries of this life and the lure of wealth"? Something that we all face! We all have routines, everyday chores, and responsibilities that take up our time. We also care about wealth - material resources - which is very normal as well.
However, we cannot allow everyday worries and material well-being to get the first place on the list of our priorities. Whether it is work, school, housework, renovations, or parenting, we always need to have time for fellowship with the Father in our days, and room for love and compassion in our hearts.
Rocky Soil And Problems
The rocky soil by itself is not considered a problem in this parable, but it weakens the plant, not letting it grow strong enough to resist the winds and rains. Sooner or later every Christian faces difficult seasons, seasons of storms and rains (as well as the disciples in this story). While our gaze is fixed on Jesus, we can walk on water - not just a step or two but long distances! But as soon as our focus shifts to the winds that are trying to knock us off our feet, fear overtakes our hearts.
This is why in all hardships I remind myself that it's temporary. I remind myself that God is in control, that this "storm" is part of His plan for me so it will work for my good. I remind myself that God gave me a spirit not of fear but of power and love (2 Tim. 1:7) and that He will help me overcome all the obstacles and stay strong.
Footpath and Deception
In this part of the parable, we meet a new character, someone whose only purpose is to knock us down. Devil has many ways to trick and deceive us. Sin often looks very attractive, and this world offers to satisfy all our desires making us happy, but never shows the real price of this fake happiness.
So the more time we spend "on the footpath", the more we look at shiny covers of sinful pleasures, the easier it becomes for us to give in to temptation. What starts as a small thing - a little lie, a short adult scene in the movie, a semi-sware word - can quickly become a big problem. So I make a covenant with my eyes (Job 31:1) and fix my eyes on Jesus!
Good Soil
Good soil is a heart burning with love for Jesus. And when you love you cannot take your eyes off! ;)
Once I've read a sobering thought: don't assume you're the good soil. Often as Christians, we think that the other soils describe someone else while our hearts are the purest. But is this actually true?
Take a look at your heart, and see what your eyes are fixed on. Did the worries of this life and the desire for wealth become all you can think about? Do problems fill your heart with fear not leaving any room for the peace of the Lord? Did the devil succeed in his attempts to steal your attention and made sin look pretty attractive?
Even if your heart is in the right place, remember: "let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus". May no winds knock you off your feet, may your walk on water end with Jesus' embrace, and may His voice guide your every step.
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