Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
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?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14: 22-33
Image by More Good Foundation via FlickrImmediately…Immediately…Immediately
Lord, You know this is one of my favorite stories.
The image of You walking on top of the water amid the waves.
Peter’s crazy enthusiasm to join you on the water.
What did the other disciples think?
I wonder if I would have been brave enough to ask You like Peter or would I have stayed, hidden in the boat.
But this morning a different word resonated within me.
Immediately.
That word is used three times in these short verses.
Immediately Jesus sent the disciples into the boat
Immediately Jesus told them not to be afraid.
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and saved Peter.
Immediately
Immediately, Lord, You send us right now into the world. Not in some future date when we have our act together. You send us now, imperfect as we are.
Immediately Lord, You tell us not to be afraid. At this present moment You command us to let go of our fears and grasp Your hand of strength.
Immediately You are by our side, reaching out to save us. At once You grab us before we drown and without delay take hold of us. Even when the waves continue to crash around us, You immediately take our hand to save us.
Immediately You bridge all time and space with Your sacred net to catch our souls.
Immediately
What an awesome God!
It was new for me too seeing the word immediate in these verses. something to think about, isn’t it?
I’m chiming in with the crowd — I’ve never noticed the use of the word “immediately” either — and three times, no less! I like your interpretation, and I agree: God expects us to act in faith immediately…not “later,” not when it’s more convenient or when we are better equipped. A very convicting post, Jean!
A favorite here as well. I still remember sitting on the floor on a braided rug as my childhood Sunday School teacher acted this one out–complete with flickering lights to simulate lightning. Like so many others, I too have passed by the word immediately.
This is one of my favorite Biblical stories Jean, but I never noticed the repeated use of the word immediately… Thank you for pointing this out!
Have a Blessed Day!
Wow! Believe it or not I wrote my post on the same scripture.. using a very similar picture to yours too!
Loved your take on the gospel this week. Nice to meet a fellow Catholic.
God bless!
He is our present help in time of need..Amen
Love when GOD repeats His Word to get my attention and because He knows I am simple minded and need the reminders.
It is ironic that we are called to do things immediately. Yet, because He is God and we are human, He doesn’t have to answer any of our requests immediately and many times doesn’t. He wants faith and trust out of us!
Oh Matthew, is my kind of writer. He loves the “in-the-moment” immediately. Jeanie, love that last line. “You bridge all time and space with Your sacred net to catch our souls.” Right now! yay!
One of my favorites too. Colleen, John Ortberg has a great small group study on this story and a good book. Something like You gotta get out of the boat.
This is one of my favorite gospel stories too. I did a reflection on this today about how I am just learning to get out of the boat!
Immediately .. I need to ponder that a while. Thanks.