Jesu, juva
WHAT’S UNDER HIS FEET
Matthew 14:22-33 — Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.' Peter responded and said to Him, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' And He said, 'Come!' And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?' When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 'You are truly God's Son!'
THE SETUP
Everyone focuses on Jesus walking on water. That’s the miracle. But there’s a message here that reveals something even deeper.
Earlier that day, Jesus had fed over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. The crowds were massive. Then, late in the evening, He sent everyone away, including His disciples. He sent them across the sea while He went up the mountain alone to pray.
This wasn’t random. This was intentional.
Quick Note on the Crowd.
Matthew 14:21 says there were about 5,000 men, besides women and children. They only counted men. Think about that. If most of that crowd was families with wives, daughters, and young sons, you're looking at well over 5,000 people.
These people traveled significant distances just to hear Jesus. Hearing Him was more important than food. That’s the kind of hunger for God’s Word we should have.
THE STORM
Now back to the disciples. Jesus sent them ahead, then stayed behind to pray. By the time the storm hit, they were far from shore. Too far to turn back.
The sea raged. The wind was against them. The boat was being battered by waves. These men feared for their lives.
What was their greatest struggle in that moment? The raging sea. The fear of drowning. The overwhelming terror that this storm would kill them.
Then, in the fourth watch of the night, in the darkest hours before dawn, Jesus came to them. Walking on the water. Walking on the very thing that was trying to destroy them.
THE MESSAGE
Here’s what I believe Jesus was showing them, and showing us:
When the problems of life seem over your head, Jesus already has them under His feet.
Think about that. The disciples were terrified of the sea. It was overwhelming them. They were going to drown. But Jesus walked on it like it was solid ground.
The thing that threatened to destroy them was beneath His feet.
Jesus could have calmed the storm from the shore. He could have stopped it before it started. But He didn’t. He let them get far from land. He let the storm rage. He waited until they were at their breaking point.
Why?
Because He wanted them to see that what was over their heads was under His feet.
YOUR STORM
You’re in a storm right now. Maybe it’s financial. Maybe it’s relational. Maybe it’s health. Maybe it’s mental and spiritual warfare that’s trying to drown you.
The waves are over your head. You’re too far from shore to turn back. You’re terrified that this storm will destroy you.
But listen: Jesus is not overwhelmed by your storm. He’s walking on it.
What’s threatening to drown you is nothing to Him. It’s solid ground under His feet. He has complete authority over it.
And He’s coming to you. In the fourth watch, in your darkest hour, when you think you can’t hold on any longer, He’s walking toward you on the very thing that’s trying to destroy you.
PETER’S CHOICE
Peter made a choice. When he saw Jesus walking on the water, he didn’t just stay in the boat relieved. He said, “Lord, if it’s You, command me to come to You on the water.”
Jesus said one word: “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat. He walked on the water toward Jesus. The same sea that was trying to kill him became solid ground under his feet because Jesus commanded it.
Then Peter took his eyes off Jesus. He looked at the wind. He saw the waves. He became frightened. And he started to sink.
But even then, Jesus didn’t let him drown. The moment Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus reached out and grabbed him.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM
Here’s what you need to know:
The storm is real. The waves are real. The threat is real. But Jesus has authority over all of it.
When you keep your eyes on Him, you can walk on water. When you focus on the storm, you sink.
The difference isn’t the size of the storm. It’s where you’re looking.
And even when you sink, even when fear overwhelms you and you start going under, He’s right there. Cry out to Him. He will reach down and pull you up.
John 16:33 — These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
Jesus has overcome the world. That includes your storm. That includes the thing that’s over your head right now.
It’s already under His feet.
Keep your eyes on Him, brother.
Blane
SDG
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