GET BACK ON THE HORSE

READ: Matthew 14:22-33

ANSWER THIS: What’s one thing you failed at that you never tried again?

THE BREAKDOWN

Following the miracle of feeding thousands of people, Jesus tells his disciples to set off across the lake to the other side. In the meantime, he sends the people home. Then, as night falls, he heads up into the hills for some alone time with God, a common practice of his.

While heading toward Capernaum in their boat, the disciples run into rough weather. Only, unlike the last time they got caught in a storm, Jesus isn’t with them at the moment. Then, around three in the morning, when they are three to four miles out and rowing hard against strong winds and choppy water, they see something approaching on the water. Thinking it’s a ghost, they cry out. What they hear next, is shocking.

Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid. It’s me!”

The next thing the disciples hear is Peter* saying to the figure coming toward the boat, “If it’s really you, Jesus, tell me to come walking on the water to you.” To which Jesus replies, “Come on!”

Peter goes over the side of the boat and starts walking on the water! But, before he gets to Jesus, he begins to sink and cries out in fear. So, Jesus reaches out to save him, pulling him up and telling him he should have trusted him and not doubted.

When Peter and Jesus get back into the boat, the storm calms down...and the disciples begin to worship Jesus, and exclaim, “You’re the Son of God!”

* Peter is actually Simon. You can read about why Jesus calls him Peter in John 1:41-42

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

“Get back on the horse” is an old saying, meaning don’t give up when you fail at something. Try it again.

This is what happened with Peter. He gathers up enough courage to step out of the boat and walk on water, then loses faith when he takes his eyes off Jesus and starts to sink. But, his faith must have been restored when Jesus pulls him up, and they stand there together on top of the water.

Peter could have resisted Jesus, and swum back to the boat. Instead, he gave it another try, and with Jesus’ help, stood on water, again.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

There are times when you’ll feel strongly about your faith in Jesus. And, other times when you’ll have doubts, and stumble. That’s OK, we all have days like that. Jesus is more interested in seeing us “get back on the horse,” than never failing in the first place.

PRAYER

“Jesus, sometimes it seems like my belief in you and the miraculous things you did waffles back and forth several times a day. I can’t do this on my own. Please strengthen me when my faith wavers and doubt creeps in.”