WATCHWORD:
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:22-31
Meditation:
Doubting Peter
Don’t You mean doubting Thomas? No, I mean Peter had some doubts. Think about it. We read the Matthew passage, and it is not hard for us to relate to the fear that the disciples were experiencing, in a small boat in a big storm, their very lives in danger. To compound their situation it’s the dark of the night, about 3 or 4 a.m., then, Jesus comes to them walking on the stormy waters. How can that be?
The boat full of disciples were terrified. They thought it was a ghost. Jesus reassures him them and tells them “It is I, don’t be afraid”. Now here is where Peter depresses doubt: “Lord, if it is You…” Did You catch that? If it is You, is not a statement of unassailable belief, but one of doubt.
In fairness, Peter continues, “If it is You, Lord, command me to come to You on the water.” What do You suppose the other disciples thought at that moment? That Peter, there he goes again. When Jesus said, “Come to Me”, and Peter, acting on faith, steps out upon the waters.tried. Would you have gotten out of the boat and tried to walk toward Jesus? Could I have done that?
Years ago I took the elevator to the top floor of the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) in Chicago. On the 103rd floor is Skydeck The Ledge, an enclosed balcony of glass; glass-floored, glass walled, four feet wide. Get your $38 ticket, and You can step out on the Ledge for a timed visit of suspension above Water-Tower Place. There are many who pay the price, but simply cannot take that first step out onto the Ledge, onto 1.5” of glass. I couldn’t do it. How about You?
Peter got out of the boat, and started to splash through the waves until he realized what he was doing, and where he was, and felt the wind, and saw the waves, and began to sink. He cried out, as we would, “Save me, Jesus!” And Jesus saves Peter, and asks him, “Why did You doubt?”
Do we have moments of doubt? Have there have been times during our life journey when we’ve been in a fragile little boat called our circumstances, battling the waves of health or relationships, and we struggle and we wonder, and in desperation we call out to Jesus for help. Were there elements of doubt in that call to him? Was it a cry of panic or was it a statement of love and belief? Something like, “I need Your help, Lord, I trust You.”
Our prayer, as we walk in faith through the storm of life, is that we may have no fear as we hold on to the hand of our Lord. May it be so for you and for me.
Closing Prayer:
Almighty God, only You can deliver us from the darkness that sometimes surrounds us, from the storms in our lives. It’s only Your holiness and righteousness that can bring us safe to the other side. Forgive us for doubting You and for ignoring Your invitation to come. Give us the courage to turn our backs to that do not honor You. Help us to turn away from self-interest and to choose to honor You above all else. Look upon us Lord with mercy and pour out upon us a spirit of holiness, and the love of the Lord. Help us to always turn to You with every beat of our hearts. In Jesus name, amen.
