Matthew 14:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23 After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, 24 but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night,b Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
28“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”
29“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”
WHAT CONSTITUTES FAITH? On any given day, you can tune in to radio or television or even YouTube and see and hear preachers thundering out messages about faith. And it is possible that some of these people actually do have faith and are true believers. But look at this story for a moment.
Jesus had just heard horrible news! His cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded to satisfy the spite of Herodias, Herod’s wife. Before Jesus could withdraw to pray and deal with his feelings, he had to perform another miracle of multiplying food to feed those who had come to hear him. Finally, Jesus was able to get the disciples into a boat so that he could be by himself to pray. Now it was around 3 AM, the sky was pitch black, and the winds were pounding on the boat, threatening to sink it. Jesus appeared, walking on the water. While the rest of the disciples were cowering in the boat, fearing they were seeing a ghost, only Peter had the courage to speak out. And only Peter got out of the boat.
Many preachers and teachers have mocked Peter for suddenly realizing the extent of the danger he was in. BUT PETER GOT OUT OF THE BOAT! And when Peter felt himself beginning to sink, HE CRIED OUT TO THE LORD. There is no record of any of the other disciples saying anything until both Peter and Jesus were back in the boat. And remember, Matthew, who wrote this account, was one of the disciples, an eye witness! So when Matthew is describing the scene, he is sure of his facts. Only after Jesus and Peter had climbed into the boat and the wind had died down did the disciples say anything.
Perhaps you have taken a step of faith. You feel, like Peter, that God has called you to do something bold for Him. And you have gotten completely out of your comfort zone and into a potentially life – threatening situation. But the sky is black, the wind is howling, and suddenly your feet feel wet! Don’t despair! Follow Peter’s example. Peter cried out to the Lord; so can you. The same Lord who raised Peter back out of that water to walk on top of the sea can equally raise you to walk on top of your difficulties instead of sinking in them.
PRAYER: Father God, this morning we want to follow your leading wherever it will take us, but we are afraid. Please cause us to trust where we cannot see and to follow hard after you all the days of our lives. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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