Peter Walking on Water

We read in the Book of Matthew an account of the disciples crossing the stormy Sea of Galilee in a boat at night (Mat 14:22–34; Mar 6:45–52; Joh 6:16–21). In the pitch-black darkness, with the seas raging all around them, they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them: “And in the fourth watch of the night He [Jesus] came to them, walking on the sea” (Mat 14:25). Some said, “ ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear” (Mat 14:26). Peter, however, recognized the Lord, and he “got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (Mat 14:29). Apparently, Peter got part of the way to Jesus, but then “he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ ” (Mat 14:30). AWDF started to creep in! “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind stopped” (Mat 14:31–32). What can we learn from this account?

Just as a child trusts his parents (Mat 11:25–26; 18:3–4), we are to “trust in the Lord”1 at all times and in all things, both great and small, even for our very lives according to the will of the Lord (Mat 6:10; 26:42; Jas 4:13–15; Rom 14:7–8; cf. Mat 16:24; Luk 22:42; 2Sa 15:25–26; Pro 19:21; Lam 3:37; Act 18:21; Rom 1:10; 15:32; 1Co 4:19; 16:7; Heb 6:3). We are to “stand firm in the [your] faith” and “endure to the end.”2 It is written, “But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Heb 10:38); “the righteous man shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17); and “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Co 5:7).3

Scripture is clear that it is not pleasing to the Lord if we “turn back” or “fall away” from our faith (see Mat 24:10; 26:31–33; Mar 4:17, 27–29; Luk 8:13; 1Ti 4:1; cf. Rev 2:4, 10; 3:16; Mat 24:13; Heb 6:6; 10:38; 11:6), and those who do so won’t inherit eternal life. The lesson here is that we must not let momentary AWDF derail our faith (2Ti 4:7; Php 3:12–14; 1Co 16:13; Eph 6:11), steal our peace, or cause us to stumble and fall—even when the wind, water, and evil (and corrupt) men and women are raging all around and against us!

Leo Boles writes on Matthew 14:22–33: [5, 321]

Then, beginning to go under, he cried, “Lord, save me.” And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him.—Jesus was ready to help him; “man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” Peter had exhausted himself; he is no longer the hero of the group; he is the humble petitioner for help; he is wholly dependent now on Jesus. It is often good for one to be reduced to such circumstances. Why did Peter begin “to sink”? We have the answer in Jesus’ statement to him after he was brought up and placed safely in the boat. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Peter was sustained on the water by the strength or power that came through faith in Jesus; for some reason Peter doubted. He had taken hold of the power by faith which Jesus used in walking on the water, and, as doubt is the opposite of faith, he had lost his hold on the power that sustained him, and immediately began to sink. So soon as Peter was safely back in the boat “the wind ceased,” and “they that were in the boat worshipped him [Jesus], saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” We have here the narration of a collection of wonders, and may well ponder them to ask why they were done and what lessons do they teach? There were none others in the ship but his apostles. They reverently bowed in worship before him and confessed that he was “the Son of God.” This is the confession made soon after in Matt. 16:16. This scene strengthened the faith that the disciples had, taught them to rely upon Jesus, and assured them that Jesus was willing and able to save to the uttermost all who took him at his word. At the time that Peter was rebuked for the lack of faith, he and the other apostles gathered new faith and strength which was expressed in their confession to Jesus that he was “the Son of God.”

Here are some additional lessons we can take from this example:

• God can handle anything that happens to us (Isa 41:10; Jer 32:17, 27; Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luke 1:37; 18:27; cf. Gen 18:14; Num 11:23; Job 42:2; Psa 62:11);
• God knows everything that happens, is happening, and will happen, both to the righteous and the wicked (Rom 8:28–29; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; Pro 5:21; 15:3; 1Pe 3:12);
• God can control everything that is going on (Mat 8:23–27; Rom 8:28–29); and4
• God is allowing it to happen for some purpose—perhaps for the testing and refining of your faith (Jas 1:2–4; Rom 5:3–5; 1Pe 1:6–7; 1Co 16:13; cf. Php 4:13; 1Co 10:13; Isa 40:31; 48:10; Zec 13:9; Psa 66:10).

Again, this is all related to the matter of “trusting in the Lord,”5 for He has told us He knows all things, sees all things, and is in full control of all things. Remember, the disciples had witnessed miracles just minutes prior to this episode, and still they doubted and were afraid—Peter was the only one who even tried to go to the Lord. Let us demonstrate the faith of Peter but not the doubt of Peter. Amen.

CHAPTER PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of today and for the forgiveness of my sins by the blood of Christ shed on the cross. Father, please help me stand firm in my faith until the end and squash any fears or doubts that start to creep in. I realize I can be weak sometimes, so please grant me the courage, strength, wisdom, joy, and peace to endure whatever comes my way. Help me remember that every single word and promise of Scripture will come true, as it is written, “Whoever believes in Him [Jesus] will not be disappointed.” Amen.