8th July 2026

8th July 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 14:22-36)


Message (Philipp Jaeschke)


During the Easter holidays we had friends of ours visiting from Germany. One day we took them up to the North Coast to explore the beautiful sights of North Antrim. The first place we went to see was Kinbane Castle. The weather was somewhat unsettled, as it often is, especially at the beginning of April. But just as we had walked down those multiple steps to the castle, the sun came out, shining rather dramatically through a gap in the dark rainclouds onto Rathlin Island, while the waves kept pounding against the rocks with relentless force. One of our visitors was so mesmerised by the view that she remarked that it was the most magnificent sight that she had ever seen in her life. God’s creation can be similarly awe-inspiring as his almighty power is.


When Jesus comes walking towards his disciples across the Sea of Galilee in stormy conditions in the middle of the night, they are so shocked by this sight that he first needs to reassure them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. ” (v. 27). He has seen their struggle to get to the other side in these adverse conditions. And he wants to be there with them as they endure it. 


Peter, as usual, is the first to respond: “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water. ” (v.28). Why did he want to do that? After all, Jesus was walking straight towards them. Just a little further and he would have climbed into the boat to help them safely reach the other side. Was Peter perhaps keen to receive the same supernatural power that Jesus had? Yet, it appears unlikely that he had this on his mind. Rather than wanting to be like Jesus, it seems much more probable that he wanted to be with Jesus. By walking across the water to his disciples, Jesus once again vividly displays to them that he is the true son of God. Peter is so awestruck by the intensity of this experience that he finds himself being firmly drawn into Jesus’ presence. Instead of sitting in the boat, being tossed about by the wind and the waves, Peter would much rather take a leap of faith and join Jesus as he walks calmly across the choppy waters of the lake. It’s obvious to him that there is no better place to be than with him.


In a sense we have to make the same decision for ourselves as well. We have the option to continue with our lives relying only on ourselves and our own resources and abilities. Or we have the option to walk with Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-6 invites us to choose the wise option: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Jesus wants us to entrust ourselves to him and to walk in his ways. And when we seek to be in his presence, just as Peter did, Jesus invites us to take a leap of faith and to “come” to him (v. 29). Peter responds by making the right choice and we’re warmly invited to benefit from doing the same.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q7 What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes
to pass.
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