GIVE PETER CREDIT
Matthew 14:26-32 NKJV
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
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!"
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Reading this chapter again, I am struck by the amazing miracles Jesus performed. The disciples were in a boat crossing over the Sea of Galilee. They had just come from watching a miracle take place. Jesus took five loaves and two fish and blessed them. He then fed over 5000 people until they were full and still took up twelve baskets of leftovers. Now they are in the boat, and Jesus is walking on the water coming to them.
Just to see someone walking on the water is unnerving, and add to that, a strong wind blowing. No wonder the disciples cried out in fear and thought they were seeing a ghost. Then Peter makes a big request. Lord, if that is You, command me to come to You on the water. We have to give Peter credit for making that ask. That is pretty bold. And no one else chimed in with yeah, me too. The other disciples must have been thinking you're on your own with this one, Peter.
When Jesus gave the command to come, Peter had what he needed to get out of the boat. He did not make his move until Jesus spoke. There is a great faith lesson right here. Peter did not see Jesus walking on the water and say to himself, I can do that. Peter only acted on the word of the Master. Faith is not just coming up with a big idea or doing something amazing. Our faith, as Peters', is based on what the Lord speaks in His word and to our hearts by His spirit.
So Peter, acting on the words of Jesus, superseded the laws of the universe and walked on the water to go to Jesus. We have to give him credit for getting out of the boat. No one joined him on his walk of faith. And he was doing well for a while. He was walking, not sinking. Until.
What tripped up Peter was a function of what he heard and observed. The wind and waves must have been a bit scary because Peter went from faith to fear. This must have been a gradual thing where the fear thoughts began to get the best of him because the scriptures say he was beginning to sink. Sinking, in every other case, is not a process; it's immediate. And Peter cried out for help. I love the fact that immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Peter. So Jesus must have been relatively close. The implication is that they walked to the boat together, so give Peter credit for making an adjustment even though Jesus called him out on his little faith. Jesus can call Peter out, but we shouldn't be so quick to criticize. Every one of us has given in to fear and doubted, so we are in the same boat with Peter. No pun intended.
Peter went on to be one of the key leaders of the early church and did amazing things for God. His life should not be defined by sinking, but by stepping out. And when you see Him in heaven, don't ask about the sinking. Ask how it felt to walk on water. We should give Peter some credit.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, that I may not ever walk on water, but I can walk on Your word. With You, all things are possible for what You have ordained for my life.