Jesus Walks on the Water
Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So 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?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God."
I believe it’s important to realize the meaning of the words of comfort Jesus spoke to his disciples.. “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. There are three key components, (all beginning with I) that I believe come from this phrase that are important for any believe in Jesus Christ, whether a long-time believer or a new believer.
Lifestyle of Intimacy
One of the most important components in living a Christian lifestyle is your intimacy with Jesus Christ. Jesus, having demonstrated this miracle, (walking on water) to the disciples, had just gotten out of solitude with His Heavenly Father. He had just received bad news that his friend John the Baptist had been killed, and so it’s important to realize that when bad things happen, you should draw even closer to Jesus Christ, not further away. It is through true intimacy with Him that you will stand on the promises of God.
When reading this passage, many people look at the negatives instead of the positive. I noticed that Peter was close enough, or had enough intimacy with Jesus Christ to hear his voice and respond to His calling. In the current times we live in it is somewhat difficult to hear the voice of God. Therefore, you must learn to protect your Eye Gate (What you watch), Ear Gate (What you listen to), and the Mouth Gate (What you speak). For whatever the eye watches, the ears hear, and whatever enters or exits your mouth can affect your spiritual walk with God.
Lifestyle of Identification
“It is I…” When reading this it’s easy to miss the form of identification Jesus uses to describe Himself. “It is I.” I… I is the simplest form of identification one can give. When you read about Jesus and begin building a relationship with Him, from the beginning you should see Him as the Great I Am. When you begin to realize and understand who your God is, then you will begin to understand the authority and power that you have been given to walk with, and in, while on this earth.
I thought about how Jesus said “I” instead “Me.” He could have said “It’s me.” When we talk about or view ourselves, we should view ourselves as Jesus did. Usually when talking about yourself you will respond by saying, “I…” Each and every time you say this from now on I pray that you remember who your God is and who is fighting for you. If God be for you, then WHO can stand against?
Lifestyle of Illumination
Illumination means to provide light. Jesus says in vs. (27), “Do not be afraid.” As a believer in Christ you should understand that you are the salt and light of the world. Because of this Jesus Christ illuminates his children to the world, often times causing us to “walk on water.” If and when Jesus calls you to do something great such as walking on water, do not be afraid of the task at hand; if you even begin to sink, Jesus will put out his hand and pick you up. If there’s any time in the history of mankind that the Christian body needed to be illuminated and walk on water, it is now. Do not be afraid of the task at hand, but fear the Lord of Angel Armies who stands for you.
- Akia
Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So 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?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God."
I believe it’s important to realize the meaning of the words of comfort Jesus spoke to his disciples.. “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. There are three key components, (all beginning with I) that I believe come from this phrase that are important for any believe in Jesus Christ, whether a long-time believer or a new believer.
Lifestyle of Intimacy
One of the most important components in living a Christian lifestyle is your intimacy with Jesus Christ. Jesus, having demonstrated this miracle, (walking on water) to the disciples, had just gotten out of solitude with His Heavenly Father. He had just received bad news that his friend John the Baptist had been killed, and so it’s important to realize that when bad things happen, you should draw even closer to Jesus Christ, not further away. It is through true intimacy with Him that you will stand on the promises of God.
When reading this passage, many people look at the negatives instead of the positive. I noticed that Peter was close enough, or had enough intimacy with Jesus Christ to hear his voice and respond to His calling. In the current times we live in it is somewhat difficult to hear the voice of God. Therefore, you must learn to protect your Eye Gate (What you watch), Ear Gate (What you listen to), and the Mouth Gate (What you speak). For whatever the eye watches, the ears hear, and whatever enters or exits your mouth can affect your spiritual walk with God.
Lifestyle of Identification
“It is I…” When reading this it’s easy to miss the form of identification Jesus uses to describe Himself. “It is I.” I… I is the simplest form of identification one can give. When you read about Jesus and begin building a relationship with Him, from the beginning you should see Him as the Great I Am. When you begin to realize and understand who your God is, then you will begin to understand the authority and power that you have been given to walk with, and in, while on this earth.
I thought about how Jesus said “I” instead “Me.” He could have said “It’s me.” When we talk about or view ourselves, we should view ourselves as Jesus did. Usually when talking about yourself you will respond by saying, “I…” Each and every time you say this from now on I pray that you remember who your God is and who is fighting for you. If God be for you, then WHO can stand against?
Lifestyle of Illumination
Illumination means to provide light. Jesus says in vs. (27), “Do not be afraid.” As a believer in Christ you should understand that you are the salt and light of the world. Because of this Jesus Christ illuminates his children to the world, often times causing us to “walk on water.” If and when Jesus calls you to do something great such as walking on water, do not be afraid of the task at hand; if you even begin to sink, Jesus will put out his hand and pick you up. If there’s any time in the history of mankind that the Christian body needed to be illuminated and walk on water, it is now. Do not be afraid of the task at hand, but fear the Lord of Angel Armies who stands for you.
- Akia