Matthew 14 Devotional: Trusting Jesus When Fear, Doubt, and Life’s Storms Make Us Sink

During Lent, our confirmation students met with mentors to talk about faith and life—growing in identity, belonging, and purpose through caring relationships. Together they also co-wrote reflections on a Bible verse, and we’ll be sharing these devotionals throughout the Easter season as an invitation to embrace thoughtful dialogue and respond to God’s grace with love in the world.

This devotional was written by 8th grader Michael Salvatore and his mentor Mel Stolzenburg

A devotion on Matthew 14 22-33. Jesus Walks on the Water

This story in Matthew follows the feeding of the 5000 after which Jesus ascends the mountain to pray and the disciples he back across the lake in their boat. Their boat was battered by the waves and when they saw Jesus walking toward them, they were terrified. Peter says, “Lord if it is you command me to come to you on the water”. We know what happens next, Peter steps out of the boat and walks toward Jesus, but a wind buffets him and he starts to sink but Jesus lifts him up.

You may not notice, but this story affects our everyday lives because Jesus is standing beside us. Jesus encourages us to take the next step, trusting that he will pick us up when we fall. Just like how Peter was rescued after taking another step out on the water. The wind frightened Peter and caused his courage to slip, but he felt safe again once he was reminded of the Lord’s presence. As humans, we have to accept that we will not be perfect and mistakes will occur. We need to trust in Jesus’s grip and keep moving forward. He will always be by our side no matter what.

Merciful God,

In times of doubt, uncertainty and fear like Peter’s experience on the water we know that Jesus is with us and lifts us up. Help us always to remember.  This we pray in Jesus’s name, amen.