But immediately Jesus
spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered
him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He
said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water
and came to Jesus. But 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 14:27-31 ESV
Peter and the other disciples had just witnessed Jesus
feeding more than five thousand people by sharing a little boy’s lunch. Surely,
Jesus was a miracle worker. Now, seeing Him walk on water, their initial fright
was turned to even further amazement. Was there anything Jesus could not do?
Buoyed by these spectacular and dramatic events, Peter was
moved to participate in what Jesus was doing—walking on water. We are not told
why he wanted to do so. Seems like a crazy thing to even want to try. Jesus was
the miracle worker; Jesus was the healer; Jesus was the great teacher; Jesus
was the confident one—The one who was never afraid. Peter? He was just a
curious and impetuous fisherman.
As a fisherman, Peter knew about water—not in the Archimedean
sense, but in the practical sense. Peter knew that men had trouble floating,
let alone walking on water (outside of hockey season). So, it is very curious
why Peter wanted to get out of the boat in the first place. But, given that he
did want to, we can assume a couple of things:
1.
Peter believed that if Jesus was walking on
water, then he could, too.
2.
Peter knew that if he did walk on water, it
would be (totally) Christ’s doing, (again, assuming Peter’s past experience
with the density of water).
Peter is demonstrating great theology here with these two
assumptions. Specifically, he understands the nature and power of Jesus and
understands his own inadequacy for achieving miracles. But, Peter understands a
third and perhaps more vital thing:
3.
If Jesus calls, then Jesus equips.
How many times, have you caught yourself thinking, “I know
Jesus is capable of doing ____________, it is me that I am worried about. . . Jesus is all powerful, but I am the
limiting factor.”
Those were the very thoughts of the eleven clinging to the gunwales
of that little fishing boat. They were not moving! We are quick to shame Peter
for sinking, but the rest of the gang was dry but immobile--frozen by fear.
There is some truth to the idea of you and I being the
limiting factor in God’s miracle-working. Two examples are clearly shown in this
very passage.
1.
Once outside of the boat, gripped by the fear of his
overwhelming circumstances, Peter began to sink. He let fear over-ride trust
and faith. In other words, though walking on the water under Jesus’ command and
power, suddenly Peter became convinced that what he was doing was impossible
(for him) to do, and he started sinking. For a few seconds Peter was “above”
reality, and then he let his fears allow him to sink back into reality.
2.
Eleven others, who had equal opportunity to walk
on the water with Jesus stayed in the boat—and didn’t even try. Well, clearly,
it was a crazy idea . . .
Both positions beg the question: “Why (and at what point) did
the disciples believe that walking on water was impossible?” More, “why did
they believe their abilities (or inabilities) mattered?”
For the love of pizza, Peter, you were out of the boat! You
were walking on water! Did you think you were somehow doing something (in and
of yourself) to defy the laws of physics?
Plainly, it was always Jesus, all the time.
Fast forward to today. Peter is a rock star! He got out of
the boat! You and I are gripping the gunwales, white with fear, wondering if we
will survive the storm. At least Peter quit looking at the storm for a few seconds
and considered the amazing power and wonder of God. For a few seconds, Peter
knew Jesus could do anything and trusted Him wholeheartedly. For a few seconds,
Peter wasn't worried about his contribution to the kingdom. For a few seconds,
Peter locked his eyes on Jesus and boldly said, “If You are who I think You
are, You will enable me to follow You even in impossible circumstances!”
Did Peter believe he could walk on water? NO! Peter suffered no
illusions about his own abilities—he had none! He believed, rather, that Jesus
could walk on water. And, when called, Jesus would lift him above the waters,
too. That is a subtle distinction but perhaps one that may help us get out of the boat next time.
You see, when it comes to miracles, it is
never us; it is always Jesus, all the time.
