The Vine: May 19, 2025

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

“16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, “It is I, do not be afraid.” 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.”

— John 6:16-21

Today, we find the disciples struggling in a boat in the sea. Jesus came to them, walking on the water. Initially, they were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. But Jesus reassured them, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid," which is code for, "Your world is about to be rocked."

The story of Jesus walking on water is found in John, Mark, and Matthew. Matthew is the only one where we see Peter asking Jesus to walk on the water. As Peter started to walk on the water, the storms around him distracted him, and he began to sink.Think about the times when you've felt like the winds of life are against you. Maybe you've been asked to do something that seems impossible. Perhaps you're facing a storm, a graduation that feels too soon, or a challenge that seems insurmountable. We might even feel like Jesus is asking us to do the impossible.

Peter is given a hard time in the story because as Jesus said, he had a little faith. I don’t think that is the case. I have never had the faith to get out of the boat to walk on the water. He makes the mistake of focusing on the storm and not Jesus. We all make mistakes in our lives. Peter's story is our story. We have moments of great faith, when we're willing to step out of the boat, but then the winds of doubt and fear threaten to overwhelm us. We fear failure. We worry about what others will think. We see an upward trajectory in our lives, and we fear any deviation.

Failure is a learning experience. It's not the end. Failure is an event, never a person. There were failures along the way, but they were part of the process. Our failures can mature us. God uses them to humble us, to remind us of our limitations, and to make us more dependent on Him. As Thomas Edison said, "Every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward."

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for reminding us that failure is not final. Just as Peter's sinking didn't negate his initial act of faith, our setbacks and mistakes do not define us. Instead, may we see them as opportunities for growth, humility, and a deeper reliance on you. Help us to learn from our failures, knowing that each one can be a step forward in our journey with you.

As we seek to follow you, Lord, grant us the courage to step out of our comfort zones, even when the waters look treacherous. Strengthen our faith to trust in your presence and your promises. And when the storms of life rage around us, may we always hear your comforting voice saying, "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."

Questions for Reflection:

1) The passage mentions that the disciples were familiar with the Sea of Galilee, yet it was often seen as a place of chaos and fear. How might this understanding of the sea have amplified their reaction to seeing Jesus walking on the water?

2) Failure is an event, never a person; it can lead to humility and dependence on God. How does Peter's experience of sinking after initially walking on water illustrate this idea about failure, and what positive outcomes might have resulted from his "failed" attempt?

3) Thomas Edison said, "Every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward." How could this relate to your life?

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