Dangerous Distractions Matthew 14:22-33

Driving a car or any other motor vehicle holding a cell phone or other hand-held device is illegal in Tennessee and many other states. The evidence says that people that use cell phones and other devices while driving are at a significant increase in being involved in a traffic accident that cause serious injury and death. Thus, there are penalties awaiting the driver that is caught driving with their cell phone or other hand-held device. Before the law was passed thousands of people drove with their cell phones without having an accident, but the goal is to have as few accidents as possible. Although most people that drive with their cell phone in hand do so without getting involved in a motor vehicle accident the goal is to have as few as possible.

Cell phones can be a distraction. When driving it takes only a few seconds of being distracted from the road or the traffic on the road for an accident to take place. Making driving with a cell phone against the law helps to prevent dangerous distractions. This article is based on Matthew’s story of Jesus walking on the water. We learn that Peter is able to walk on water until he is distracted by the wind. Peter is sinking in the water and Jesus rescues him. Let us look at this story.

Jesus teaches the people and He performs a miracle. Jesus heals the sick (Matt. 14:14). Jesus goes to a secluded place by Himself. Large crowds come from the cities to see Jesus heal the sick. When Jesus sees the crowds He heals the sick. When it is evening Jesus feeds five thousand people. Then, Jesus sends the disciples to the other side of the sea. He sends the crowds home, and then He goes up into a mountain to pray. The fourth watch is about 2:00 a. m. to 6:00 a. m. and Jesus is coming toward the disciples in the boat. He is walking on the sea. It is taking the disciples longer than usual to cross the sea because of the strong winds that blow against them. “But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary” (v. 24, NASB).

As the disciples are battling against the winds, they look up and they see a figure of a man coming toward them. He is walking on the sea. Now this is not normal. The disciples reason that this must be a ghost (v. 26). The Greek word “phantasma” is translated “spirit” in the KJV; “apparition” in the Revised Version. The disciples believe that they are seeing a phantom. The disciples “cried out in fear.” They are terrified. They are screaming, and they are jumping around feeling hopeless and defeated. The disciples are in a dangerous situation, and they have no idea of what they should do. They are in a boat in the sea being tossed by strong winds, and now they see a ghost. The disciples are in for a happy surprise.

It is not a ghost. As they are crying out in fear Jesus sees them and He hears them. Jesus hears their cries, and He identifies Himself. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying ‘Take courage, it is I; don’t be afraid’” (v.27). Now, let us just stop here and make this observation. Jesus is walking calmly on the wind tossed sea that is a threat to life in the minds of the disciples. Jesus sees the same waves that the disciples see. He hears the same winds that the disciples are seeing. The disciples see Jesus, and Jesus sees them. None of these things distract Jesus. He is in control of the situation.

Peter hears the voice of Jesus. Peter knows in his mind that the voice that he hears is the voice of Jesus. Peter hears the distinct sound of the voice of his master. No one else calls his name like Jesus does. In John 10:3-5 Jesus says these words about Himself. He says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes a head of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of stranger” (NASB). Peter knows that he is hearing the voice of Jesus. Peter knows that if he can get to Jesus, he will be safe.

“Peter said to Him, ‘Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” We have said that Peter knows that the voice that he hears is the voice of Jesus. However, sometimes we can know a thing, but there is still this little uncertainty, this small doubt. We are going to learn from Peter that a little doubt can be very dangerous. Jesus responds to Peter’s request. “And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (v. 29). It seems that Peter is safe now. He is walking on the water, and he is going to Jesus. Wait! Do not rush to a conclusion. There is more to the story. Let’s see what Happens next.

Jesus tells people to come to Him and Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water going toward Jesus. Peter is heading in the right direction. Peter is distracted. “But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord save me!” (v. 30). Peter takes his attention off of Jesus because he is distracted by the wind that he sees. As long as Peter stays focused on Jesus he walks toward Jesus. As long as Peter stays focused on Jesus, he can follow the command of Jesus. He haves success because he is focused on Jesus.

Peter takes his focus off Jesus. He does not follow in the footsteps of Joshua. In last week’s article “Stay Focused” the Lord tells Joshua not to turn to the left or turn to the right. Stay focused on the Law and the commands that he has received from Moses. Peter sees the wind. Now, the winds are not new. Peter has been hearing the same wind all night. He and his companions have been tossed about in the boat all night long by the same wind. Why does Peter take his eyes off of Jesus? Why is he distracted by the wind?

Peter begins to sink when he sees the wind. He cries to the Lord to the Lord. “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of Him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt’” (v. 31). So, here it is: Our doubts hinder our faith. You see, doubt and faith cannot occupy the same space in our minds. If you have doubt, you will not believe. We cannot waver in our opinion. Faith believes fully. We see this truth in Thomas. After Jesus is raised from the dead he appears to the disciples, but Thomas is not with them. When they tell Thomas that they have seen the Lord, Thomas expresses his doubt. He needs to have physical evidence that it is Jesus that the disciples have seen. The next week, Jesus appears to the disciples again and Thomas is with them. Jesus stands in their mist. “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see my hands and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing” (Jn. 20:27, NASB).

We learn from Peter that distraction can be dangerous. Distractions can hinder our Faith. Jesus must be our focus. He alone is the One that look to when we are in a storm in our life. If we hear any other voice than Jesus we will be listening to a voice that takes us away from the safety and security of our shepherd who is Jesus. In life, storm winds are blowing all around us. Jesus may not stop the storm. Instead, He comes to be with us in the storm. If we stay focused on Jesus and not get distracted by the wind we will not sink.