It had been a very long day for Jesus, His disciples, and the many followers who traveled miles just to hear Jesus teach. Jesus just fed around 5000 people and his disciples were there to help distribute and do the work of the ministry that day. After that, the disciples immediately got into a boat and went to the other side of this huge body of water. While the disciples were in the boat, Jesus dismissed the large crowd of people and then went to pray in a peaceful and secluded place by himself. You know the story and what happened next.
The disciples were somewhere in the middle of the water a long way from land. Night fell and a storm began to brew. The wind and waves ripped at the boat and caused the disciples to experience great fear. Wouldn’t you? Alone in a boat with waves crashing over the bow does not promote serenity and security. It promotes severity and sinking!
I’m sure the disciples knew friends who died on the same body of water they were presently battling. So, I’m positive the disciples experienced great fear. And then from nowhere Jesus shows up walking on the water. This was not something the disciples saw everyday. People just didn’t walk on water to get from place to place. They actually did use boats, animals, and walking to travel. So, this was not just unusual, it was humanly impossible. If the wind and waves weren’t bad enough, now they had to come to grips with someone walking on the water during a horrific storm. Scripture says they were terrified. I get it. Who wouldn’t be terrified? Do you know what Jesus did next? He gave them assurance in the middle of their desperation. What is interesting is that Jesus’ words weren’t enough to dispel their desperation. They needed a sign. The disciples are not much different than we are. We continue to look for signs to strengthen our faith when we have God’s very words in Scripture to give us hope.
What happens next doesn’t make sense to me. The wind and waves were fiercely beating against the side of the boat and Peter sought confirmation that would actually test his own faith. He said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28). Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting out of a perfectly good boat in the middle of rolling waves to walk towards someone who obviously mastered the art of water walking! I’m just not. Peter was different. He climbed out of the boat and actually walked on the water toward Jesus. Peter didn’t swim or tread water, but he actually walked toward the Savior. Now, if for some reason I was delusional and decided to get out of the boat, I think walking on water would be pretty cool. However, what happened next was evidence of a failing faith. Scripture says, “when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him saying to him, ‘O you of little faith why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:29-31)
Peter did doubt in the middle of the event. However, Peter did not doubt at first. At the beginning of their encounter, Peter did have enough faith to step out of the boat onto the waves. What happened? Why did Peter begin to sink? I believe Jesus addresses this completely when He said Peter had little faith. Here’s what happened. Peter had it and then he doubted it. He walked on the water and then became surrounded by the water. He was safe on the water and then became scared by the water. He was Christ-focused and then became self-focused. We know that God gives us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). This does not mean that we cannot exercise, strengthen or grow in our faith. It does mean that God gives each of us faith. So, initially we see faith as a gift of God’s grace in our lives as He gives us faith. I look at it like muscles. Each of us has muscles. We can either exercise those muscles and have physical health or we cannot exercise those muscles and experience atrophy. Once you experience atrophy, so much more begins to break down in your body. So, I would certainly encourage you to get a Faith Physical!
There are several things to consider at this point.
Authentic faith causes us to follow in crazy circumstances
Peter had enough faith to climb out of the boat and begin walking. However, his faith became distracted by his doubt. Do you have more doubting moments or more faith moments?
Authentic faith causes us to recognize the object of our faith.
In this case, Peter understood that Jesus could save him. He had faith to believe that Jesus could save him. He said, “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30). Do you understand that the Lord is the one who provides everything for us?
Authentic faith causes us to accept God’s sovereignty in our fear.
While Peter was in the water he looked for help and saw it in the Lord. Notice that he did not call him Jesus, friend, or address him with, “hey man.” Peter addressed him as Lord. This was huge. Peter already accepted God’s sovereign leadership in his life. Now the Lord tested his faith. Have you accepted God’s sovereign leadership in your life?
Authentic faith causes us to accept our own weaknesses without fear of failure.
Certainly, Peter could not walk on water. He was no magician or illusionist. He was normal just like you and me. I’m not talking about blind risk-taking. I’m talking about not letting your weaknesses cause you to miss something that the Lord might want to do in your life.
Authentic faith causes us to seek the Lord in every situation.
That’s exactly what Peter did. Look at what happened. Jesus reached for Peter. That’s what happens. When we demonstrate authentic faith, Jesus responds. Even though Jesus admonished Peter for expressing little faith and much doubt, Peter still knew the Lord was able to provide.
Authentic faith causes us to worship the Lord.
In Matthew 14:33, we learn that all the disciples on the boat experienced God’s faithfulness to them. He calmed the storm and provided protection. They worshiped Him. The highest form of authentic faith is authentic worship. That’s exactly what the disciples did. They worshiped the Lord. Is your authentic faith producing authentic worship?