LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 4:18, And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea; for they were fishermen.

 

We began Wednesday morning of our tour by taking a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It was not really much of a ride because our ride consisted of three boats (It took that many boats for our entire group.) going a short distance and then being tied together, side by side. We spent time in worship – singing and the teaching of the Word by Pastor Ed Newton (they were in the middle boat). I must admit that this time was quite inspirational and informative. The boats were replicas of what the fishing boats were like at the time the disciples fished on the Sea.

 

Did you know that 70% of the miracles Jesus did were done around or on the Sea of Galilee? I had never considered that. But, as I listened and saw (as our tour guide pointed out) where He called His disciples to “follow Him”, walked on water, calmed storms, multiplied the loaves and fishes, and told the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, I better understood the importance of this area. Each of these happenings have their own story and significance.

 

The captains of the boat told us that if we had been there the day before we would not have been able to do what we were doing on this day. The day before the wind was causing three-to-four-foot waves. It was not difficult to think about one of my favorite stories concerning the disciples in a boat on the Sea as the waves were them making it difficult to get to the other side of the Sea. I can imagine their fear as Jesus came to them, walking on the water. You know the events where Peter told Jesus to “command me to come down out of the boat”. Jesus did so, Peter walked on the water for a few steps, took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves, began to sink, and cried out to Jesus for help.

 

It might seem that Peter was acting foolish and this was not a wise thing to do. When Jesus told him to “Come”, Peter was obedient, got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Can you think of any prophet or any other person who had done that? The notes in the David Jeremiah Study Bible give us an important lesson, “What people focus on becomes magnified in fearful circumstances”. Do you understand Peter did walk on the water until he took his eyes off of Jesus? Perhaps someone reading this needs to read this and remember to keep their eyes on Jesus as they walk through difficult circumstances; being reminded of this has helped me through some things! When I have taken my eyes off Jesus and focused on the situation or circumstances, those “things” seem to dominate my thinking and actions and, just like Peter, I begin to “sink”. The DJSB states, “the difference between fear and faith is focus” – I am going to try to remember that thought!

 

One other thought about this event. Peter did not fail; he got out of the boat while the other disciples stayed within the safety of the boat. Peter walked on the water! When he began to sink, Jesus was right there to help him get back up. That is good teaching for each of us to remember when we face difficult circumstances. It must have been a good feeling for Peter as he and Jesus walked back to the boat – together!