Matthew 14 Devotional

Caught While Sinking

“Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?””Matthew 14:31 (BSB)

Herod has John the Baptist beheaded to keep an oath made before his guests (14:9-10). When Jesus hears, he withdraws to a solitary place. Yet when the crowds follow, he has compassion on them and feeds thousands with five loaves and two fish (14:13-21).

That night the disciples are straining against the wind when Jesus comes to them across the water. They cry out in terror, and he answers at once, telling them to take heart, because it is him (14:25-27). Peter asks to come to him and steps out onto the sea. Then he sees the wind, grows afraid, begins to sink, and cries out for the Lord to save him (14:30). Immediately Jesus reaches out and takes hold of him (14:31). He does ask Peter why he doubted, but only after he has caught him. The rescue does not wait for Peter's faith to recover. When your own faith falters, the cry for help is enough. His hand reaches you before your doubts are settled.

To think about: Where is your faith faltering right now, and what would it look like to simply call out to Jesus for help there?