The Year of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Matthew 14:29
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Yep. Same verse as yesterday, but today another look at this great story of Peter walking on the water. Simply put, in this real-life episode the entirety of the Christian walk is illustrated. The Christian walk begins with the first step toward Jesus. It is a response to His invitation to Come.
During the journey of walking on the water to Jesus, Peter began to sink. The Word of God says it like this: But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Many individuals accept Jesus’ invitation, they choose to believe on Him, and that belief causes them to begin to move toward Him. But to draw close to Him they must walk by faith which is pictured by Peter’s walking on the water. Walking by, in, and through faith is very much an uncertainty. Not that God’s way is uncertain, but any believer can become uncertain in that they cannot clearly, or naturally see each and every step. Here is an example. A believer wants to be obedient to God’s command to tithe on their income. This takes faith. Each tithe check is stepping out on the water. You see, God’s promises concerning giving and receiving cannot be seen. It is easy to look around and begin to question God’s provision in this life. It is easy to sink into doubt about the tithe. It is easy to see others not tithing yet no bad thing happens to them. The financial, economic and social pressures of our day are boisterous winds against this thing of tithing. After years of being obedient the child of God finds it easy to obey, but one major financial storm may cause them to sink.
But Jesus is there. Whatever the issue that causes a believer to begin to sink in their Christian walk, He is there. His arm is stretched out still to save a believer who begins to sink just as He saved Peter. Matthew 14:31 proves it; And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
When Jesus and Peter were safely in the ship then the wind ceased. Only when we are in Heaven, safely home with Jesus, will the boisterous winds of doubt be ended. As Dr. Bob Smith is famous for saying, “Never stop in doubt that which was begun in faith.” But, and, if you do, Jesus will be there to rescue you. He’ll get you to the boat safely.
Until Next Time,
William T. Howe, Ph.D.