Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus

We often condemn Peter in this story for not believing in Jesus, but can you imagine actually walking on water? This was an earth-shattering moment for Peter, as Jesus called him out of his comfort zone onto the waves of change and uncertainty.

When I think back on my life, I can definitely see ways in which I have gotten my eyes off Jesus. A few years ago, I clung to my comfort zone as the possibility of a new door opening loomed before me. I will never know what would have been beyond that open door because I did not go through it. My fear won out as I sank beneath the waves. Jesus lifted me up, but the opportunity was gone.

As I grow, though, God is so faithful to hold out his hand again and beckon me out onto the waves. I feel I am walking on them now, in a sense, as I embrace new experiences and step further out of my comfort zone.

I love how The Chosen series, a fictionalized drama, depicts this scene, as Peter faces the waves thinking about the recent turmoil in his own home life. This is an example of another reason for getting our eyes off Jesus: doubt over things going wrong in life. I can easily imagine Peter questioning if Jesus really cared about him and his wife because of struggle were going through.

As Jesus clasped Peter’s hand and as he clasps mine, I know that he can indeed be trusted. My own wisdom is faulty, my dependence on security can trip me up. But he knows. He knows what I need. He knows what you need. And his hand is reaching out to us today, to bring our gaze back up to his.

Dear Jesus, thank you so much for your faithfulness in keeping my gaze on you. I love the way you don’t give up on me but continue to challenge me to walk on the waves of uncertainty. Help me keep my eyes on you. In Jesus name, amen.

Throughout this day: Enjoy this scene from season 3, episode 8 of The Chosen. As you do so, imagine Jesus reaching out to you as you’ve sunk beneath the waves of doubt and fear. What is he saying to you? Jesus Walks On Water and Saves Peter (Matthew 14)