Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Peter Walks on water towards Jesus
The next example I think of when I think about examples of faith is Peter when Jesus came to the disciples walking on water and Peter was the only one who stepped out of the boat to go to Jesus. Matt. 14: 22-32 22 “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”(KJV)Now you may question why I think this is faith when Peter failed and began to sink but really think about it. Peter was the only disciple in that boat who had enough faith to even step out of the boat onto the water and even attempt to walk to Jesus. His problem wasn’t a lack of faith but his problem was he momentarily took his eyes off Jesus and began to doubt and only then did he begin to sink; but then he showed faith because he cried out to Jesus to save him. Jesus reached out to him and they both went back to the boat. So Peter showed faith when he trusted that Jesus could and would save him. He stepped out on faith and started to Jesus but was distracted by the storm; took his eyes off Jesus, and then he began to sink. How many times do we live by faith but when it gets a little tough and storms or troubles come into our lives do we like Peter get distracted and forget to keep our eyes on God? The key to this is that we like Peter should only let our doubt last for a short time and then like Peter we should return to our faith and cry out to God to help and save us. Don’t get so distracted and forget all about your faith when trouble comes along, but remember that like Peter we can cry out to God and then believe and know that he is there to save us. Peter’s faith was not lost but was momentarily shaken by the storm but he never forgot totally his faith. How many times do Christians slip and then just beat themselves up instead of by faith call out to God for help and forgiveness. So to me Peter put his faith into action and then stumbled but recovered and again exercised his faith and asked for help. Do not be one who stumbles and slips and then continues down because of feeling like a failure. God is waiting for us to step back out on faith and call on him. Remember too that we should always keep our eyes and minds on God and then we will be less likely to stumble and be blind sided when things get bumpy in life. Step out on faith, live daily by your faith and remember that if we stumble to ask God to save us and help us and then believe he will.
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