by Barry Britnell
Synopsis: Peter experienced a crisis of faith when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the surrounding storm, but he also dared to step out of the boat! His courage is an inspiration to us all. Are we, also, willing to dare and to do?
Have you ever wanted to do something but did not even try, because you knew in your heart that you could not do it? Every time I have similar thoughts, I think about Peter. In Matthew 14, we have this wonderful account of Jesus and the disciples at the Sea of Galilee. It reads:
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 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?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God" (Matt. 14:22-33, ESV).
Peter is an interesting character. He had his good and bad traits. (Don't we all?) Nevertheless, I love the lesson that we can learn from Simon Peter. In this story, he was willing to try the impossible.
Is it possible to walk on the water of the Sea of Galilee? No, it is not.
Actually, I should not say that. I have seen someone walk on water on the Sea of Galilee. Once, when I was sailing on the sea with one of my tour groups, the boat captain dripped some water from a fishing net onto the boat's floor. He then walked back and forth on the water, claiming that he was "walking on water on the Sea of Galilee." We all got a good laugh because he was making a play on words. All understood that walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee without the aid of the boat is impossible!
Then we read the story from Matthew 14. Jesus was really walking on water! What an incredible thing that would have been to see!
Peter, seeing Jesus on the water, asks to join him. Peter then does something wholly incredible. Reread verse 29: "So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus." Pay close attention to the conjunction "and" in that sentence. Peter did three different things.
First, he got out of the boat. Wow! What amazing courage that must have required. Peter made his living on this lake and knew how intense storms could be. He knew that his safety depended on him staying inside the boat. Yet, he got out.
Second, Peter walked on water. This is equally amazing. I have studied enough science in my life to know that this is physically impossible. I have often wondered what that felt like to Peter. Did it feel like he was walking on a solid surface, or did it feel like he was floating on air?
Third, he came to Jesus. As impressive as it would be to take a couple of steps on the water, he did more than that. He walked and came to Jesus. I do not know if this was 10 feet or 100 feet, but Peter did it!
I know that Peter eventually struggled, but for the moment, forget that part. Peter did the impossible! He walked on water! He would never have been able to do that if he had not tried.
Why do I bring up this story? Because I want to encourage everyone to follow Peter's example. Try something that you think is seemingly impossible.
Perhaps you think that it would be impossible for you to teach a Bible class. Try it. Perhaps you think it would be impossible for you to know what to say to someone struggling. Try it. Maybe you think that it would be impossible for you to lead a public prayer in an assembly. Try it. Find what you think is impossible for you to do. Then get out of the boat and try it. Like Peter, you may learn that not only can you do it, but also you are good at it.
Image-1 Caption: The Sea at Sunset
Image-2 Caption: A Calm Day on the Sea of Galilee
Image-3 Caption: Waves after a Storm
