Listen and Believe (Matthew 14 - P 35)

As we finish Matthew 14 ... before you read today's verses ... glance back through the chapter to remember the flow of events.  Then, slow down and read

Matthew 14: 22 - 36

A storm.  This one physical.  Some of our storms are not so bad - some wind, some waves, uncomfortable.  And then others are of catastrophic proportions.  Think Katrina or Sandy.  Think Newtown or Algeria.  Think avalanches and loss.  Think cancer and devastating treatments.  Think infidelity and divorce.  Think death and grief.  And that is a small list!  Storms.  We will all navigate through them during our lives on this planet.  So what can we learn from this description of a storm that raged in the life of Jesus' disciples?  

Notice first ... that in the midst of the storm, Jesus was there.  The disciples were fighting the waves ... and Jesus was there.  They did not have to fight the storm alone.  Nor do we.  William Barclay writes:

In life, the wind is often contrary.  There are times when we are up against it and life is a desperate struggle with ourselves, with our circumstances, with our temptations, with our sorrows and with our decisions.  At such a time, no one need struggle alone, for Jesus comes to us across the storms of life, with hand stretched out to save, and with his calm, clear voice ..."

Notice secondly what that voice says.  Jesus' words in the middle of a storm are of supreme importance.  

• Take courage
• It is I
• Don't be afraid
• Come
• You of little faith, why did you doubt?

Do you need to hear those words today?  If so, stop right now and say them out loud.  Say them slowly.  Ask God for the faith to believe those words ... and to act accordingly.  "Take courage ... the Lord is with you ... no need to fear ... rest in Him ... and believe."

In the seventeenth century, the Bishop of Geneva was St. Francis of Sales.  He had noticed a custom of the country districts in which he lived that intrigued him.  He often noticed a farm servant going across a farmyard to draw water at the well.  He also noticed that, before she lifted the brimming pail, the girl always put a piece of wood into it.  One day he ventured out to ask the girl about her custom.  She looked surprised and answered, "Why? to keep the water from spilling ... to keep it steady!"  Writing to a friend later on, the bishop told this story and added:  "So when your heart is distressed and agitated, put the Cross into its center to keep it steady!"  The presence of Jesus ... the love which flows from Him, from the Cross, will bring peace and serenity and calm.  Believe it ...

Truly You are the Son of God!