Devotional: Focus On Jesus Matthew 14:22-36

“But seeing the wind, he became frightened and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord save me’” (Matt. 14:30, NASB)!

“Breaking News Alert” is flashed across the television screen, and the words are announced by the newsperson. In the last month it seems that the alert has something to do with the COVID-19 pandemic and/or President Donald Trump. It seems that every facet of our lives in America today is centered on these two topics. They get our attention. It is what we are focused on most. More than one hundred and eighty-two nations are affected by the coronavirus. The citizens of the United States are watching and listening to every word that the president says. In a time of crisis these responses are natural, and they are to be expected. However, our scripture passage shows us that there is a better response to the events that are taking place in our lives.

Jesus feeds five thousand men in addition to the children and the women that are in the crowd. After feeding the people, Jesus commands the disciples to get in a boat and go to the other side of the sea. Jesus goes up into the mountain and prays. In the meantime the disciples encounter a severe storm, and their progress is slow. While the disciples are struggling against the winds, Jesus comes walking on the water. The disciples have never seen anything like this. They are frightened, and they think that they are seeing a ghost. Jesus hears their desperate cries of fear (v.26).

Hearing their cries Jesus calls to them. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid’” (v. 27, NASB). Peter asks Jesus to command him to come to Jesus. “And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (v.29). Peter is doing fine. His faith in Jesus gives him comfort and courage.

Peter is walking on the water. “But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord save me,” (v. 30). Peter loses his focus on Jesus when he sees the winds. So, this event teaches us that life has storms. Storms are natural events. We cannot escape storms. However, we can choose how we respond to the storm. Do we see Jesus in our storms, or, do we see a ghost; something to be afraid of? Do we focus on Jesus and walk through the storm or do we focus on the winds in the storm? If we focus on Jesus we can successfully walk on water. On the other hand, if we focus on the storm we sink. If you are sinking, call out to Jesus. Jesus is ready to rescue His own.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic we focus on You. Amen.