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Jesus Stretched Forth His Hand

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Pacific Press Publishing Association

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 15.

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"Jesus Stretched Forth His Hand."

By Max Hill

AND immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and took hold of him. . . . And when they were gone up into the boat the wind ceased.'' Matt. 14:31, 32.
The disciples, obedient to the instruction of the Master, were crossing the sea in a small boat, while He remained on the land to pray. The wind was contrary, the waves rough and high, and the disciples weary from long rowing. Longing for His comforting presence, they strove at the oars. Suddenly, in the midst of their distress, they saw a Man coming toward them from the gloom, walking on the water. Fear came upon them as they beheld Him. But to their cry of terror came an answer of assurance from the Master, ``Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.''
Peter was first to find voice: `Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee upon the waters.'' And the Master answered, Come.'' Bravely the apostle left the boat to meet his Lord. At first he saw only the Master, but when the waves surged round him, and he considered the danger of his position, fear came upon him once more, and with a despairing cry he began to sink. `And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and took hold of him,'' and guided him safely to the boat.
When the waves were highest and roughest, when the danger was greatest, and their hearts were filled with fear, the Master came to the disciples. He came in answer to their dire need, and yet His presence brought fear to their hearts. Because their wish was not realized in the way they expected, they feared the very manifestation of His prayer-answering love. But a blessing was in His presence, and rallying from his fear, Peter longed to be nearer Him, and begged the Lord to call him to meet Him on the waters; the Master answered, ``Come.''
`Come.'' In the word was the promise, and grasping the promise by faith, Peter hastened to meet his Lord. But alas for his faith! The angry waves tossed about him, and for a moment he lost sight of the Saviour. In that moment of wavering he began to sink, for tho within reach of the Saviour, there was the danger of going down beneath the waves. But One stood near to save, for at his cry for help, `immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and took hold of him.'' With loving hand He held him up, tho He chided him for his lack of faith.
Man is ever prone to be surprised and even affrighted by God's way of answering prayer. We long for a certain thing, and seek Him for it, because we feel the need of it; but the answer staggers us; instead of exclaiming, `It is the Lord!'' we tremble. Again, having received it, we presume to ask that which is really unnecessary, to test the love of Heaven. And then, Peter like, we slip the anchor of faith before the prize is gained. Even still there is the strong arm of the Saviour. Tho He chide our lack of faith, His arm will save. His invitation to come includes protection and guidance and safety at last. That invitation and that strong arm, if accepted, will invariably lead, as did the word to Peter, to safety, for `when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased.'' MAX HILL.