How The Shepherd Rescued The SheepSample

Sheep in Dangerous Waters

Large crowds gathered around the Good Shepherd to hear Him teach. One evening, after a long day of teaching, Jesus wanted to be alone for a while so He could pray. He asked a few of His close friends, who He called His disciples, to get into a boat and cross to the other side of the lake.

He went to pray and when night came, He went to meet His disciples on the boat. By then, the boat was being shaken by the strong winds. When Jesus approached them walking on the water, the disciples feared and thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus spoke, “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here.” 

One of His closest friends named Peter said, “If it is you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” Jesus answered, “Come.” Peter was very brave to get off the boat and start walking on the water, believing the word of Jesus. However, when Peter realized what he was doing, and focused his attention on all the circumstances around him, he doubted the word of Jesus in his heart. Instead of walking, he was now sinking, so much that he cried out to Jesus, “Save me, Lord!” Jesus grabbed his hand, saved him, and asked Peter, “Why did you doubt me?”

When Jesus and Peter were on the boat, all the disciples who were there worshiped Jesus and believed that He was the Son of God.

When the circumstances around us seem overwhelming, it is normal to wonder if we will make it. We are called to trust the Word of God written in Jeremiah 29:11, where He says that He has good plans for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a future and a hope. He gives us the power to stand firm on His Word, even if the ground seems to be wobbly.