JESUS

FIX YOUR FOCUS

Jesus grew silent for about five seconds and then said. "COME." He didn't say anything else to help Peter draw near to Him. This is an opportunity for his faith to be tested. When a test has been passed successfully, growth follows next. The future of this faithful disciple was made clear to Jesus on the mountain. The Father told Him what Peter would become after His ascension back into heaven, and when the Holy Spirit has been released upon the earth.

Peter's hands shoot vigorously, the fear of drowning fought against his desire to come near to Jesus. He took off his sandals and placed one of his legs in the water. This is wisdom: Peradventure his leg begins to sink, he can easily bring it back in the boat.

Jesus saw Peter's desire through his action steps. He instructed, "Fix your focus. Look at Me, not yourself." Human nature is keen to look at itself for help or a way out of a tunnel, but in order for this nature to put its confidence in someone else, much training and effort is needed. Jesus was building the faith and trust of Peter.

Peter gazed forward at His Lord and placed his two feet on the water. He heard the surprise of his friends behind him. "No way," Nathaniel said. "Peter is walking on water." Andrew's mouth opened wide.  Peter took steps toward Jesus. His eyes never breaking the connection with His Lord. I am walking on water. Peter happily thought. He was very close to Jesus when the lightning stroke again, and the wind grew in power and intensity. This made Peter lost confidence in himself and His Lord. He broke the connection and lost his attention in the new waves that had just started to come towards his direction. 

The sea began to swallow Peter, from the legs to the ankle then the waist. "Peter, no!" The disciples in the boat screamed in terror. They were about to lose their beloved friend. Peter should have stayed in the boat. This Man is not really Jesus, the Lord will never call you to Himself and kill you. This was a bad night. They should not have embarked on this journey without their Saviour. They wished He was here like He was on the ship a while back, all He did was command the wind and the storm to go away and they did obey. 

Peter lifted up his right hand, knowing that in a few seconds he would cease to see the sun rise and set. He knew that he would never see his wife again nor will he enjoy her sweet homemade food. He cried, "Lord save me!" This was the only way. Jesus is the way. There is no other way. Peter remembered Jesus telling the disciples, "I am the way." (John 14:6a)

Immediately, Jesus stretched forth His hands and caught Peter before his head was totally swallowed up by the sea. When their eyes met again, Jesus smiled. "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

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There is a face that shines brighter than the sun itself, and that face is the face of Jesus. There are eyes that burn brighter than a furnace, and that eyes is the eyes of Jesus. There is a lip that is soft, far softer than the lips of ten thousand women, that lips are the lips of Jesus. There is a beauty that transcends the beauty of the rainbow. Jesus is beautiful.

Dear Reader, fix your focus on Him today and I promise you that you will walk on waters. Entertain no fear, for fear, is proof that your eyes have been removed from the wonderful Savior. Fix your focus, and your heart will be filled with joy that cannot be explained in words. It is a joy that rejoices at the overdraft bank account. It is a joy that dances when your car tire flattens. It is a joy that sings a happy song at the funeral of a dear friend. "Oh, happy day, oh happy day. My friend meets Jesus today."

Dear Reader, fix your focus away from the earth. Heaven's beauty is cannot be measured with perishable fantasy in this world. The Reality is above us, it is within us, it is waiting for us. 

Tomorrow (Next Chapter), We will be diving deeper still. We will be talking about the Perishable Fantasy. 

Please if you have any questions, send me a DM, I will be happy to answer.