Immediately
Actions That Require a Response
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 14:31 NKJV - (31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
OBSERVATION:
The word 'immediate' indicates something that occurs or is finished without delay, signifying instant action. It appears three times in Matthew 14:22-32, each time describing an immediate action. These instances serve to remind us to be proactive in our responses.
Matthew 14:22 NKJV - (22) Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
Jesus, aware that after feeding the five thousand the crowd intended to make Him King, immediately dismissed His disciples and went up the mountain to pray.
Jesus said, “Go!”
Matthew 14:27 NKJV - (27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
After rowing for hours, the disciples faced a fierce storm that threatened to overwhelm them. These experienced fishermen were terrified, probably unfamiliar with such violent conditions. Suddenly, they saw Jesus walking on the water, and their deepest fears and superstitions about the sea overtook them.
Jesus said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
Matthew 14:28-30 NKJV - (28) And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." (29) So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Peter, whether wanting to prove himself or quiet doubts fueled by superstitions of a ghost, asked Jesus, “If it’s you, command me to come.” Out on the water, he went, walking on water—though only for a few moments. Fear gripped him, and he sank like a rock, only to learn the lesson of Jesus' word, “immediately.” He called out to Jesus.
Peter said, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 14:31 NKJV - (31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
APPLICATION:
When given the command to go, do not fear or hesitate. Embrace Jesus’ teaching to act right away, with confidence and courage. Just as He offered comfort and encouragement to His disciples, He also speaks to us.
“It is I; do not be afraid."
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When God speaks, act promptly. In each case, the lessons were quickly learned, and they reached their destination without delay.
John 6:21 NKJV - (21) Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
Let us be people of action when Jesus speaks.
Matthew 14:31 NKJV - (31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
OBSERVATION:
The word 'immediate' indicates something that occurs or is finished without delay, signifying instant action. It appears three times in Matthew 14:22-32, each time describing an immediate action. These instances serve to remind us to be proactive in our responses.
Matthew 14:22 NKJV - (22) Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
Jesus, aware that after feeding the five thousand the crowd intended to make Him King, immediately dismissed His disciples and went up the mountain to pray.
Jesus said, “Go!”
Matthew 14:27 NKJV - (27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
After rowing for hours, the disciples faced a fierce storm that threatened to overwhelm them. These experienced fishermen were terrified, probably unfamiliar with such violent conditions. Suddenly, they saw Jesus walking on the water, and their deepest fears and superstitions about the sea overtook them.
Jesus said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
Matthew 14:28-30 NKJV - (28) And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." (29) So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Peter, whether wanting to prove himself or quiet doubts fueled by superstitions of a ghost, asked Jesus, “If it’s you, command me to come.” Out on the water, he went, walking on water—though only for a few moments. Fear gripped him, and he sank like a rock, only to learn the lesson of Jesus' word, “immediately.” He called out to Jesus.
Peter said, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 14:31 NKJV - (31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
APPLICATION:
When given the command to go, do not fear or hesitate. Embrace Jesus’ teaching to act right away, with confidence and courage. Just as He offered comfort and encouragement to His disciples, He also speaks to us.
“It is I; do not be afraid."
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When God speaks, act promptly. In each case, the lessons were quickly learned, and they reached their destination without delay.
John 6:21 NKJV - (21) Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
Let us be people of action when Jesus speaks.
- “Go!”
- “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
- “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
Peter walked on the water but feared the wind: such is human nature, often achieving great things, and at fault in little things. – Alexander Bruce
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me be quick to respond when You speak. Even when doubts and discouragements arise, may I, like Peter, call out for Your help. When I start sinking, remind me that Your promises never fail, even if I feel like they do.
Jesus, help me be quick to respond when You speak. Even when doubts and discouragements arise, may I, like Peter, call out for Your help. When I start sinking, remind me that Your promises never fail, even if I feel like they do.
When fears and doubts prevent us from stepping out of the boat.
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