Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Jesus

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Posted by: Chris Lake, On-Air Host | Friday, February 13th, 2026 (10:03am)

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?”—Matthew 14:29-31

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is Jesus walking on the water. But what strikes me most about Matthew 14 isn't Jesus walking on water—it's Peter sinking, and what happens next that helps us walk in faith. 

After Jesus feeds the 5,000, he sends the disciples off in a boat. In the middle of the night, a storm rages on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples struggle to stay afloat in the chaos. I imagine the rough seas, the rain, the wind blowing the sails. 

I see similar storms in my own life. Right now, I'm working through decisions my adult children are making that I don't always agree with. Work and snow days are causing chaos. My social media feed is post after post of people fighting. My extended family and I are on different sides of some issues. The really cold days and cloudy skies are NOT helping. The storms seem to be all around. 

But then out of the chaos, Jesus appears. Peter calls out, and Jesus invites Peter to step out of the boat and walk toward him...on the water. Peter takes one step, then another, and with his eyes on Jesus, he begins to walk on water. 

I've had these experiences of complete trust, too. Like when I have a really good conversation with my son or I get to sleep in on a snow day. Times when projects and plans are coming together. Like Peter, in those moments I feel like I'm "walking on the water.” 

Then—a drop of rain hits Peter. Then another. Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and begins to sink. Jesus reaches out his hand and catches him. Immediately. 

Not after a lecture. Not after Peter proves he's learned his lesson. The moment Peter cries out "Lord, save me!"—Jesus is there, but asks, “Why did you doubt?” 

Jesus asks Peter this question, and honestly, I wonder about it too. Why did Peter doubt? He'd just been walking on water! He'd seen Jesus calm storms, feed thousands, heal the sick. 

But here's what I'm learning: we are all like Peter, aren’t we? Doubt doesn't come from lack of evidence. It comes when we take our eyes off Jesus and look at the storms around us instead. But here’s the good news; Jesus doesn't require perfect faith. He reaches out immediately when our faith falters. 

I'm on my knees every day about my adult children. I'm focused on Christ, praying about the steps they're taking. But then I take my eyes off Jesus and begin to doubt. I look around and feel the raindrops and see the storms, and I get distracted. Can you relate?  

The question isn't whether we'll doubt—Peter doubted, and he was walking on water with Jesus right in front of him. The question is: will we cry out when we do? 

Jesus doesn't need you to have great faith. He can work with little faith. He can work with sinking-and-scared faith. What he wants is for you to keep your eyes on him, and when you can't, to cry out for help. 

Right now, whatever storm you're in—Jesus is reaching out his hand. He's not waiting for you to have it all figured out. He's reaching out now. Immediately. 

The only question is: will you reach back? 

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