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FIXING OUR GAZE ON JESUS

"And he said, 'Come.' And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus"(Matthew 14:29).

What do you think when you hear the words "fixing your gaze"? When we like something or someone, our eyes focus directly on it. Fixing our gaze can mean focusing on our goal to "achieve success," not getting distracted by bad habits, paying attention in class, paying attention to a loved one, etc. But what about fixing our gaze on Jesus?

Perhaps the text may seem very distant from today's topic, but believe me, it is closely related. Chapter 14 of Matthew contains one of the most impressive events (as seen by the disciples) in Jesus ministry: walking on water. This story specifically mentions the name of a disciple who also did it: Peter.

To understand this, it is appropriate to read the following verse after Matthew 14:29: "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" (v. 30). Peter couldn't believe what was happening, and suddenly he was frightened by the strong wind. To fix our gaze on something specific, we have to take other things out of our sight. Peter doubted because of the storm, rather than fixing his gaze on the one who kept him above the waters. That is why Jesus asked him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (v. 31).

What's interesting about all this is that the words in bold and italics form the connection that today's text has: "Peter, to walk on water, had to fix his gaze on Jesus."

The Word of God once surprises us with a text found in Colossians 3:2: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

The personal goals we set are important, but they become wasteful when we prioritize fixing our gaze on Jesus. Today I invite you to post on your social media: "I choose to fix my gaze on Jesus above anything else."

- Richard Paredes.