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Thursday, 29 May 2008 08:28 |
STEPPING OUT OF THE
BOAT
MATTHEW 14: 22-33
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- God will help us when we ask..
- To know what life is like to live in Kajiado.
- To pray for the people of Kajiado
Diocese and the footsteps project.
AIMS:
- To learn to trust God in all circumstances.
- To find out what life is like in Kajiado.
- To think about how through our prayers and support we can help the people of Kenya through the Footsteps project.
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THE STORY:
Jesus had just performed the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand with only two fish and five loaves of bread. After everyone had eaten, Jesus sent the people away, and told his friends, the disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side of the lake. Afterwards Jesus went up into the hills to pray, alone with God. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far from land, for a strong wind had risen and they were fighting large waves in their boat. At about three o’clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water! When the disciples saw him they were afraid and began to scream in terror. They had never seen anyone walk on water before and so thought Jesus was a ghost. But Jesus spoke to them at once and reassured them saying, “Take courage it is I, do not be afraid.” One of the disciples called Peter, cried out to Jesus saying, “Lord if it is really you, tell me to come to you by walking on the water.” “Come”, Jesus. Peter, climbed over the side of the boat, and walked on top of the water towards Jesus. But when he was nearly there, he looked around him and saw the big waves, got scared and started to sink. Peter yelled, “Save me Lord!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. He said, “You don’t have much faith. Why did you doubt?” When Jesus and Peter climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. The other disciples who saw everything worshipped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!” THE APPLICATION: The disciples and over five thousand people were amazed by the miracle they saw Jesus do. However Jesus wanted to get away as quickly as possible and be alone. In John’s Gospel 6:14- 15 we read the reason for Jesus’ quick escape. The people had been so amazed by the miracle He had just performed that they were preparing to take him by force and make him King! So Jesus blessed the people and sent them on their way. The disciples He told to get in their boat and cross the lake. He needed some time to be alone. Seeking solitude was a priority for Jesus and He often spent time in his busy schedule to be alone with the Father. Spending time with God in prayer nurtures our relationship with God and equips us to be able to meet life’s challenges and struggles. The disciples were used to being in a boat, many of them had been fishermen, and so the storm was nothing new to them. However, in the midst of the storm, they saw what they thought was a ghost walking towards them on the water! Jesus immediately comforts them, telling them not to be afraid. When we are afraid or in trouble God will be there for us, we just need to trust and ask God to help. Peter reacted in faith. He is often thought of as one who spoke before he thought! His impulsive request led him to experience God’s power. Peter only started to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus. As long as he had faith, he did the impossible with God’s help. His boldness and courage led him to step out into the unknown. It was when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked around him he started believing that the storm would defeat him. If we forget that God is right there to help us, we can let the storms of life cause us to sink. If we keep our eyes on God, hopefully we can do mighty things for God by faith. How many times has God called us to ‘step out of the boat’ and try something new? Even like Peter if we falter God will be always there to pick us up if we ask. Then Peter uttered what is probably the shortest prayer in the bible: ‘Lord save me.’ Everyone needs to say that prayer at sometime in his or her life. We all need Jesus to save us. He is our eternal hope. When they all got back into the boat everyone gave thanks and praise to Jesus saying that He was truly the Son of God. Whenever we do something with God’s help it is important to remember to give thanks and give God the glory for it. MEMORY VERSE: “God is our protection and strength. He always helps in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1-2 PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you that we have learnt about you in the bible.Help us to be like Peter and step out for you. May we always ask for your help in our lives. We pray for the people in Kajiado and for us here in Ireland to know you more. Amen.
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