Focus: Jesus Saves!

Text: Mt.14:30

"But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me."

Peter SAW the boisterous wind and was gripped with fear - fear of death by drowning. The word 'boisterous' is the Greek word ischuros. It is one of the words for power in the New Testament, and so, it means that the wind was no child's play. It was a powerful, forceful, mighty, or strong wind. It was an extremely strong storm, and Peter felt its destructive force and cried out to the Master for help. He says to the Master, "Lord, save me!" He saw his death and desired to live. Who wants to die?

Our fears are created by what we hear and see. Peter felt that his life was in jeopardy the moment he saw the storm and the mighty force behind it.

In his moment of fear Peter cried out to the Lord to save him.

Peter prayed to the Lord who was present. Christ was right there with him. Christ is not a far-away God. He is always there with us amidst our storms and struggles. Matthew tells us that "immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him" (Mt.14:31). Jesus Christ didn't waste a split second; He instantly stepped into the situation and saved Peter.

We all need saving from something at some point in our lives. We face storms from time to time, and in those times we need God to save us. We need God. The psalmist described God as "our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps.46:1). 

We can always count on the presentness of God's presence. We are privileged to have the ever present God in our lives.

Christ saves; He delights in saving us. While dying on the cross, the people said of Him, "He saved others; himself he cannot save" (Mt.27:42). They failed to understand that He did not come into the world to save Himself. He came to save others - all of us, not Himself. The psalmist says, "When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up" (Ps.94:18). God does not only save us, but also holds us up lest we slip and fall. He won't let us flop or fail.

When you pray to God, you need to understand that He is not a far-away God. He is the ever present God, and He saves His people from their storms.

Whatever the situation, Jesus Christ saves. He saves from sin and sickness, from life-threatening circumstances and the troubles of life, and from all the forces of evil. Trust in the saving power of Christ.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter