Immediately, JESUS!
- The disciples were traveling away from the crowd after a busy day serving the multitude.
- The Lord Himself had gone up on the mountain to be alone with God, to pray.
Evening came.
- The boat had now moved a long way from the shoreline.
- The night was long spent, and the time registered between 3am & 6am.
A storm arose and the wind was causing the waves to toss the boat this way and that, beating upon it from all sides.
- To say the men were frightened for their lives was to speak mildly because in fact they were more terrified than slightly afraid.
“And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.
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 courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to Him, “Lord, IF it is YOU, command me to come to You on the water.”
And He said, “Come!”
(Matthew 14: 25-29a NASB)
There is so much we can learn from this parable recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, but what struck me most as I studied during the “fourth watch of the night” is how “He came to them” & how “immediately Jesus spoke to them,” & how “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him.”
So often, when studying this parable, we find ourselves focused upon the disciple Peter and his faith to step from the boat and to walk on water. In focusing, we also discover how Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink, quickly discovering how the Lord stretches out His hand to His chosen one, taking hold of him.
Yes, so often, when studying Matthew’s account, we place our eyes upon Peter’s faith.
Today, our eyes are turned to the “immediacy of Jesus.”
- Is it not just like Jesus to “immediately” come to His disciples!
- Is it not just like Jesus to “immediately” speak to them directly & individually!
- Is it not just like Jesus to “immediately” stretch out His hand toward them!
- Is it not just like Jesus to “immediately” take hold of someone by the hand!
God gives each of us one life to live, and we have an individual choice how we will live. It is a truth, God calls all men, women, and children to know Him through His Son Jesus. Whether we choose God or not is individually up to each person. Eternity is at stake; the decision is vitally important.
Today, for those of us who have chosen to accept Jesus as Savior, our eyes can be turned toward the “immediacy of Jesus.” As we look at the vision God has cast upon our lives, we are called to step from the place of security. In doing so, we “Immediately Need Jesus” as we trust God for what He is doing within our lives. We “Immediately Need Jesus” as we walk toward His will within the days we have been given to live.
- True, our comfort zone is just that: Comfortable.
- However even MORE TRUE is that when a storm suddenly comes & even MORE TRUE is that even if we are terrified—Immediately, JESUS—is there with us.
—speaking to us,
—stretching out His hand toward us,
—calming us,
—securing us,
—and saving us!
“And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.
And those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
(Matthew 14: 29b-33 NASB)
Today, our lives are more than what we have already become.
- Truly, God has given us a vision for our lives.
- Most definitely, the LORD prepares us for the season He allows us to walk.
- Also true, the Son of God is “Immediately” with us!
- So we constantly cry, “Thank You, Father, for the Immediacy of Jesus within our lives, years, days, and moments.”
Today, may we worship JESUS, saying as His disciples, “You are certainly God’s Son!”