Do Not Be Afraid :: deux

Matthew 14:27-31

²⁷But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

²⁸"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

²⁹"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

// THOUGHTS:

It's very interesting to see how this passage is very common, yet has so much profound message:

:: The Disciples
- thought that Jesus was a ghost
- they feared when they saw Jesus coming to them "ghostly"
- did not expect Jesus to come in such a way

:: Jesus
- could do whatever He wants to show up
- it was only "normal" for Jesus to do something miraculous in the perspective of man
- v. 27 made sure He stated who He was - to remove fear

:: Peter
- made sure it was the Lord
- he asked Jesus
- was the only one who got down the boat and walked on water
- doubted when he saw the waves (v. 30-31)

// BELLE:

.. The Lord will make it clear when it's Him
.. He said to not be afraid
.. He will show up however he wants to
.. I can ask Him, to make sure it's Him (just like Peter) - that I'm not "hallucinating" or imaging stuff that I could think of it as something "God-like" to happen
.. I need to step out of the "boat" [comfort zone] in faith to meet Jesus walking on water - to try something miraculous I've never tried before [like walking on water]
.. I need to grow my faith more
.. I must NOT doubt [doubt comes because of fear of the unknown]
.. The Winds will def come scaring me [inevitably]; but I must NOT be afraid

// Lord, yes, I know I must not fear, I must not doubt, or be afraid. Please show me that it is You coming to me. I want to walk in a miraculous experience without any hint of doubt or fear. What is it Lord? Show Yourself to me. Help me discern and know it is you. Guide me and hold me by the hand. Thank you because You will let me know. Help me to know. In Jesus' name, amen.