Never Take Your Eyes Off Jesus

Today, we're looking at on old story. Not just because it happened a long time ago, but because so many Christians know this story inside and out. It's famous.

Jesus walked on walk, and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water to Jesus.

Our text comes from Matthew fourteen and verse 31. "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him (Peter)". KJV

Peter was pretty brave to walk on water!

As I was preparing for my Sunday School class one day last year, the teacher's handbook specifically encouraged me not to give Peter a bad rap for sinking.

It is true. Peter had a lot of faith. The most out of everyone there. We need to remember that, but it was something else they said which struck me.

For Jesus to immediately stretched forth his hand and catch Peter, Peter had to be very close to Jesus.

Peter had almost finished. He was inches from the finish line when he stumbled.

How often this is true! In the beginning we know that we need Jesus, and we keep our eyes fixed on Him. And we walk, doing so well! We make it almost to the end, and then, we forget that we still need Jesus. We start to look around at all we've accomplished.

We take our eyes off Jesus because we think we're out of danger. We're inches from the end after all.

Never, ever take your eyes off Jesus.

Not at the start, nor the middle, and never the end.

Don't be tricked into thinking it's safe to look around. Don't be fooled that you've walked this far in your own strength.

Never forget: We need Him now. We need Him tomorrow. We'll never not need Him. Keep your eyes always on Him.