Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) Jesus Walks on the Water
When I look at the relationship between Peter and Jesus I see a true friendship and brotherly love. It is not instant; at least not on Peter’s part, but it is one that grows stronger throughout the Gospels. Like any strong relationship that requires trust and faith shared between people.
For Jesus that is instant, but for Peter, and for us, that is tougher. We neither love nor trust naturally. In fact, in many cases, we are far more apt to do the opposite until someone can prove themselves worthy. It is more common to think to ourselves, “I hear you talking, but I will believe it when I see it.” We take a wait and see approach with folks, but Jesus was different at least in the initial meeting.
Jesus Calls Peter
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew as his first two disciples. He simply calls out to them.
Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV)
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
When Jesus called Peter he agreed immediately. He and Andrew did not hesitate. Jesus looked like any other man, yet these two see something special in Christ enough to leave their boat and join Him. Peter is the most extreme of the two.
Peter demonstrates throughout the three years that he is never lukewarm. His passion for Christ is just that, a passion that seems to lack any kind of control. It is either hot or cold. He wants to believe, and he wants to trust Jesus, but like the rest of the disciples, he allows the distractions of the world to affect his focus and his faith.
Do Not be Anxious
In Matthew 6 Jesus talks about being anxious. He reminds the disciples not to allow the world to fill them with fear and distraction but to trust in God.
Matthew 6:25 (ESV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Then a bit further in the chapter, he emphasizes where our focus should be.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
And how might we do that?
John 14:6-7 (ESV)
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
When I read these verses, I think of Peter’s passion and his volatility.
Peter Believed
When Peter Believed he could not be stopped. His love and passion for Jesus he wore on his sleeve and sometimes it got in his way. But when he allowed himself to be distracted by the world, his faith and trust faltered. One example is after a tremendous amount of teaching in Matthew Chapters 7, and 8 and the disciples get in the boat with Jesus and Jesus goes to sleep.
Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV)
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
All the disciples were filled with fear, the opposite of faith. But even, filled with fear, they cried out knowing Jesus was their only hope. They knew that He alone could same them in their parrel. But that is not the only time something like this happened. The best example of this for me is Peter walking on water. It shows the power of his faith even when fear and doubt set in.
Walking on the Water
Immediately after another sermon where Jesus fed 5000 men he made the disciples get on a boat and head out into the water. Jesus went off to pray alone. While he was praying a storm had fired up, and the disciples were far from shore battling the storm. We all know the story. Jesus walked on water and scared everyone on the boat because they thought He was a ghost. But Jesus comforted them, and Peter called out to Him.
Matthew 14:28-32 (ESV)
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me*.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Did you see it? When Peter got out of the boat and kept his eye on Jesus, he walked on water! But as soon as he turned his gaze from Jesus to the storm fear set in and weakened his resolve and he began sinking. But even then, he cried out to Jesus to save him. He knew his only hope was in Jesus. He knew that no one else could save him, and in this moment of weakness and fear he cried out to Jesus and was saved.
Reflections
I look back at Peter, and I see a man that struggled with faith as we all do at times, but when he kept his eye on Jesus, his faith was so strong. He also knew that Jesus was his only hope of salvation. I like what Paul says about salvation in his letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
I think Peter is a good example of this and he had the benefit of being counseled by the Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He too is “His workmanship“, counseled by Jesus Christ face to face, and among the first blessed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but still, a human being like all of us, adopted into the family of God.
Closing Thoughts
The story of Peter walking on water is so special. It does not just show what can be accomplished with a strong relationship with Christ Jesus, but the fact that this relationship is the only way to eternal life. Peter did not cry out to anyone else as he sank into the water.
Peter knew it that night on the water as he sank toward his own death and he proclaimed it again to the temple leaders in Acts 4.
Acts 4:11-12 (ESV)
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved*.”
What a gift we have in Jesus. How wonderfully Peter shows us that one night on the water and the many that followed. What a blessing it is to have access to Him through His Word and prayer.
Prayer
Heavenly father,
I do not consider that I have made, (your gift of salvation), my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (For it is in His name that I pray), Amen, (Prayer comes from Philippians 3:13-14)
*emphasis added
