Deep Waters…

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Peter Sinks, Faith Arises

Im sat drinking a cup of coffee with sweetener, and I’m pondering a piece of scripture…

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This is the scripture I’m pondering…

Jesus Walks on the Water

Mat 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. He said, “Come.” 

So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

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As my coffee cooled to a comfortable drinking temperature, my pondering began…

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You see. . .

The disciples, a group of men who followed Jesus, had witnessed a miracle of 5,000 people being fed, and they’re now at sea rowing against the wind. Jesus appears walking on the water and they are all terrified.

Peter, realising that it is Jesus asks Him to call him over to where He is, standing on the water.

Jesus responds and Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk, yet fear takes hold of him and he begins to sink. 

Peter was safe and secure with his brothers, with the other believers in the boat, even though they were out at sea battling against the elements. It was only when Peter desired to step out of the boat, to draw nearer to Jesus that difficulties arose!

Interesting I Hear You Say…

Yes, very interesting…

Because, it appears that it would have been safer for Peter to stay put, to hunker down in the boat with the others, but notice how it was only Peter who had the courage to step out, and it was only Peter who received the hand of Jesus, the one-one conversation, the private lesson in how faith works, and all whilst the wind and waves where raging.

Also… consider the conversation Jesus and Peter might of shared, as they both walked side by side to the shores of Gennesaret, if only Peter’s faith had been stronger.

Yet, it is easy to view this narrative as a defeat, to shake our heads at Peter and to view this entire scene as a failure, but if that is our view we miss the exquisite grace of God, its power and its response when followers of Jesus step out of the boat.

Peter Was Rewarded For His Faith…

Let me explain…

Peters reward is revealed a few chapters later when Jesus, during a conversation with His disciples, asks them who do they say that He is. Note how it is Peter who responds and it is Peter who Jesus declares to have received a blessing, a revelation, a message from God.

Mat 16:13 – 17

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

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I have finished my coffee & daylight is beginning to annoy my curtains, It is time to make use of the day. . .

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Peters stepping out, stepping into deeper waters was not a failure but a fantastic demonstration of how when faith is put into practice, even when it is the size of a mustard seed, is not overlooked by God, but is watered, pruned and encouraged to grow, allowing the carrier of that seed to mature and bear much fruit.

May we all have Peters faith and step out into deep waters to be closer to God, and may faith increase as we all receive one-one conversations with Jesus.

Be blessed to the max

Much Love