PETER’S DOUBT WHILE WALKING ON WATER
PETER’S DOUBT WHILE WALKING ON WATER
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith, “he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” —Matthew 14:25-33
Yesterday I was standing on a dock at the lake near where we live. I was thinking about Peter stepping out on the water as I was looking at the step down it would be for me to reach the water. We can say much about Peter, but think of the faith it took for Him to step out of the boat onto the water to start walking to where Jesus was… and he did so… for s short distance.
Consider what was happening…
- Jesus was walking on the water (well nobody had seen that before!)
- This was taking place just before dawn (the disciples had been on the lake all night!)
- The disciples saw him and were terrified
- They thought they were seeing a ghost
- Jesus told them to take courage
- Jesus told them not to be afraid
- Jesus identified Himself to them
- Peter said if it is you then tell me to come to you on the water (that is quite a request which no man had done before!)
- Jesus told Peter to come
- Peter got down out of the boat
- Peter walked on the water toward Jesus (Peter was waking on the water!)
- Then Peter saw the wind
- Peter feared
- Peter began to sink
- Peter cried out to the Lord to save Him
- Jesus immediately reached out with His had and caught Him (consider the weight Jesus was holding while on the water and that He saved Peter from drowning!)
- Jesus told Peter he had little faith
- Jesus asked Peter why he doubted (Peter did not respond)
- They climbed into the boat
- The wind died down
- The disciple worshipped Him
- The disciples acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God
Dear Father, when I am asked to “walk on water” may I not doubt. Oh, that this would be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, may it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuVNGUXZQ1g&list=RDyuVNGUXZQ1g&start_radio=1