Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
(Hebrews 12:2 MSG)
In Matthew 14, Peter did something that none of the other disciples dared to do-he walked with Jesus on water. The Gospel writer is careful to note that as long as Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he was walking on the water. But as soon as he took them off the Saviour, the disciple began to sink. “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”’ (Matthew 14:29-31).
I’ve experienced a “Peter moment.” Unaware, I had allowed the wind of distraction to get my eyes off Jesus. Like Peter, I too began to sink into despair. When I questioned God about why I was feeling that way, He reminded me of the story of Peter and said, “You took your eyes off Me!” I can’t tell you how comforting it was to have an answer to my question and a solution to my problem.
Years ago, I used to watch a Christian television program where the host used to end the show daily with the following reminder, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, it’s all about Him!” I can’t write enough about how true that is! We’re encouraged to walk with Jesus on the water, in victory, but we’ll never be able to do that as long as we have our eyes on the wind, be it people or circumstances. So let’s do what Jesus did. He “never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God” (Hebrews 12:2). Peter learned a valuable lesson that night. He never took his eyes off Jesus again, and neither should we.
Rising with the Son 