"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?" (Matthew 14:28-31)
With everything that’s going on in the world and in this country right now, it’s easy for us Christians to take our eyes off Jesus and focus on what’s happening all around us. Like Peter, when we see the waves and feel the wind, when we focus on the problems, the dangers lurking around us, it’s easy to become afraid.
To Peter’s credit, unlike the other disciples, he was willing to get out of the safety of the boat and trust in Jesus to have the water hold him up. Only when he got distracted, when he took his eyes off Jesus, when he saw the danger all around him, did his faith fail him. Even then, he made the right choice and called out to Jesus to save him.
Although he ultimately came up short, there is much we can learn from Peter. First, it took great faith for Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water. Under the same circumstances, is your faith so strong that you would have followed his example? Second, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, Peter was able to walk on top of the water. So, not only did Peter have the faith to step out of the boat, but he also had the faith to walk on the water. However, even with that faith, Peter eventually took his eyes off Jesus and saw the danger lurking around him. His faith then faltered, and he began to sink. However, even as his situation worsened, he knew who to call out to, who could save him.
Despite exhibiting what I think is great faith, when he faltered, Jesus faulted Peter for having "little faith" and having doubt rather than trusting completely in Him. When I read this story, I wonder what Jesus would consider a strong faith. What could someone with a strong faith do? If walking on water, albeit eventually sinking, is an example of little faith, then what could someone with a strong faith who keeps his eyes on Jesus do?
We so often set our sights very low. We expect so little from God that we are not truly expecting Him to do anything for us. This is not trusting in Jesus. This is not faith. This is doubt. This is hanging back in the boat and letting others try to walk on the water. This is failing without even trying.
With God nothing is impossible. Most of us have heard that statement since we were young. But do webelieve it? Do we pay lip service to Jesus, to what He has done and can do, but are reluctant to put those words into action in our lives? Do we hang back and let others be missionaries, be royal priests, be God’s ambassadors to a fallen world?
Jesus Christ is the almighty God, the creator of the universe and everything in it. Obviously, if He created this incredible universe, which is so vast that we can’t really comprehend it, then anything we ask Him, if consistent with His will, He will surely do. Therefore, why do we expect so little? Why do we offer up prayers hoping that He hears us, hoping that He will answer our petitions, rather than trusting that not only does He hear us, but that He wants to help us?
God loves us so much that Jesus became man, that He lived a perfect life among us for 33 years, that He took on the punishment for our sins by suffering and dying on a cross for us! This is truly incredible. The omnipotent, omniscient Jesus died for us! Why He did this, when we are such miserable sinners, so full of filth, so totally undeserving of His love, His mercy, and His grace, is beyond my comprehension. But He did! He gave up everything for us! If the all-powerful God was willing to do this for us, surely He will be with us when we endeavor to do His will.
So, let’s not be cowards. Let’s not be quiet out of fear. Let’s not be afraid to share our faith, to tell others what we believe, even if doing so may come with some risk. Jesus loves us and has shown us that love by His actions, by His atoning sacrifice. So, let’s be brave. Let’s reflect the love of Jesus to those around us.