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But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
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Today’s message
God loves to start where no one expects: a basket turning into refuge in the river, a pregnant virgin, a fisherman walking on water. In Matthew 14, the scene is concrete: a boat spinning, contrary wind, exhausted men in obedience. They did what Jesus commanded and yet the storm found them. I want to speak to you who are rowing against the tide, without special immunity, without shortcuts. You are not an exception. The life of faith does not happen in a greenhouse; there are waves, there is wind, there is night. But there is Jesus coming to meet us.
Why did He compel them to get into the boat? John 6:15 answers: to free them from the seduction of a political messiah. While the crowd fueled the frenzy, Jesus went up the mountain to pray. From there, as Mark 6:48 records, He saw the disciples in trouble. He saw and waited. This hurts our haste but heals our vision. Jesus' timing is not ours. When it seems like a delay, He prepares something greater: not just the wind ceasing, but a heart worshiping, conviction born within the boat.
I want to give you three initial lessons
- Obeying does not eliminate storms; it eliminates illusions. Mature faith lives realities, not fantasies.
- Jesus always comes, but not always in our way and in our time. God's kairos is not our chronos.
- When earthly resources run out, heavenly ones remain available. The fourth watch does not scare the King.
Jesus' timing is not ours. God's kairos is not our chronos.
Notice how He comes: walking on the sea. What threatens us is under His feet. Twisted theology screams, "It’s a ghost"; Christ's voice corrects: Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. Peter asks for a word and steps on the promise. As long as he looks at Jesus, he walks. When he measures the wind, he sinks. And then comes the shortest and most necessary prayer a broken heart can make: Lord, save me! There are moments when you do not need an explanation; you need an outstretched hand.
Five movements of Jesus in your storm
- He sees you from above and does not lose sight of you, even in the dark.
- He comes to you, even in the fourth watch, when strength is lacking.
- He speaks clearly, dispels fear, and corrects the lies of the heart.
- He extends His hand, supports the wavering knees, and lifts the fallen.
- He enters the boat and the wind ceases; faith kneels and worships.
Do not criticize Peter. He had the courage to step out and the humility to ask for help. That is how we reach the other side: by the presence of Jesus, not by expertise in rowing. When He enters, fear loses its voice and worship finds its voice: Truly, you are the Son of God. Trust in Jesus' timing, cry out in Jesus' name, worship the person of Jesus. We will reach the destination.
Did you know
- The Sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake about 21 km by 14 km, subject to sudden winds.
- The Jewish night was divided into four watches; Jesus came in the fourth (between 3 and 6), the darkest hour.
- After the multiplication, they tried to make Jesus king (John 6:15), which Rome would consider treason against the State.
Key phrases
- When earthly resources end, heavenly resources remain available.
- Jesus' timing is not ours. God's kairos is not our chronos.
- There are moments when you do not need a sermon; you need an outstretched hand.
- The only antidote to fear is Jesus entering your life.
Translated from the Portuguese original.
Seek
To seek today
Go deeper
Go deeper
ACALME A TEMPESTADE DENTRO DE VOCÊ AGORA - HERNANDES DIAS LOPES
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