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. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:28–33 (ESV)
How strong is your faith? How healthy and undivided is your faith in Jesus Christ; not only as your Savior but also as your Lord.
The New Testament word for faith (πιστος; pistos) means to trust in. commit to, depend upon and honor an object. In a general way, everyone is an individual of faith. The question is, faith in what or who?
Saving faith, justifying faith, sanctifying faith and glorifying faith is a trust in, a commitment to, a dependence upon and a worship and honor of Jesus Christ alone as Savior and Lord. The sinner is to trust, commit, depend and honor Jesus as the Savior of their soul from the penalty of sin. This also applies to Jesus being the Lord and Master of their Christian life.
Today’s text regarding Peter walking on the water vividly illustrates this point.
There is no doubt that Peter is a disciple of Jesus. The question is how strong is his faith in Jesus as his Lord?
Upon seeing Jesus walking on the water, and understanding that the Lord is not a ghost, Peter asks Jesus to command him to come and walk on the water with Him. Jesus commands Peter to come. Peter proceeds to get out of the boat, walk on water and come to Jesus. As previously noted, the disciples’ boat is likely in the middle of the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 14:24). The water is not shallow.
“Jesus is walking upon the water, approaching their ship tossed far from the shore by a powerful storm, the first time the disciples see Him after this prayer vigil (vv. 25–27). This act is a powerful proof of His deity. In Scripture, Yahweh, the one, true Lord of all, is described as walking upon the water (Ps. 77:16–20; Hab. 3:15). Whether or not Peter has a full-orbed understanding of Christ’s divinity at this point in his life is doubtful, but he does understand the extraordinary authority that Jesus must possess if He can make His path on top of the waves. Such faith prompts Peter to ask for permission from Jesus to step off the boat and join Him upon the sea (Matt. 14:28–29),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
As long as Peter’s eyes were fixed on Jesus, he was fine even in the midst of extraordinary circumstances. However, when he began to notice the violent wind, and presumably the waves and darkness surrounding him, he began to panic and sink into the deep. He then intensely and continuously screamed, “Lord save me.”
Without hesitation, Jesus immediately extended His hand and took hold of Peter. Jesus then said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus’ tone is not harsh but rather instructive. The insufficiency of faith and the uncertainty of life is a toxic combination. James described a man who doubts as like the waves of the sea driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6). Such a man is unstable.
“Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus and sinks, but we would miss a vital lesson of this story if we focus only on Christ’s criticism of His disciple’s “little faith” (vv. 30–31). Though mixed with doubt and fear, Peter’s faith is nonetheless true — he does walk on the water. More importantly, the fisherman is not abandoned when he falters; rather, the Savior extends His hand to save him (vv. 32–33),” states Dr. Sproul.
I see myself in the example of Peter. My faith is sometimes insufficient. Doubts often arise in my thinking, emotions and decisions. However, Jesus is always there to extend a loving and corrective hand through His Word. I sense Him saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” How about you?
As an epilogue, Matthew concludes the story with these words. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Jesus again stilled a storm (Matt. 8:23-27). He is Lord of all creation. He rescues those who cry out to Him in distress (Psalm 107:23-32). Rather than simply fear as before, the disciples worship Jesus and confess Him as the Son of God. He is to be the object of their faith.
“Peter’s faith is much like ours, small and incomplete, a mixture of trust and doubt. Nevertheless, God does not wait for us to have perfect faith before He saves us. The mere presence of authentic trust is required, and periods of doubt say nothing about the legitimacy of our faith. No matter the fervor of your trust this day, know that Jesus is a Savior who rescues those who struggle with doubt,” concludes Dr. Sproul.
Soli deo Gloria!
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