Fourth Watch of the Night
Matthew 14:22-30 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
In the fourth watch of the night, somewhere between 3am and 6am, the disciples were far out at sea and the wind was battering the waves against them. Their senses were heightened with fear because of the elements and then to see a person walking on the water, the disciples became terrified they were seeing a ghost. When Christ reassures them it’s Him and to not be afraid, Peter makes an extraordinary leap of faith by being willing to believe that the power of Jesus can allow him to walk on water to Him. He then steps out of the boat demonstrating walking not by sight, but by faith with the raging waves of the sea under his feet.
But when Peter’s eyes started to notice the elements and how the wind and the waves were raging about, he worries. He took his eyes off Christ and he began to sink in the waves in the fourth watch of the night. What storms are we going through right now? Are we trying to sail our own boat through the storm or are we walking with Christ through it? Are our minds focusing on the storm and consumed with the details of the wind and the waves or are we keeping our eyes and minds on Christ? Is our mind focused on the darkness of the fourth watch of the night or are we reassured that the sun is about to come over the horizon? Let us lift up our hearts to the Lord because He can lead us through any storm, through any dark night, and into His glorious light.