One of my favorite Bible stories is from Matthew 14 where Jesus calls Peter out onto the water. You know the one…the disciples are in a boat, battling a storm, and Jesus walks out on the water to them in the wee hours of the morning, telling them not to be afraid because He is right there with them. Then, in a daring move, Peter tells Jesus to call him out onto the water if it’s really Him. Jesus does, so Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking on the water toward Him. But the waves are rough...it’s still dark...Peter’s tired...no one gets out of the boat with him...and Peter suddenly realizes that none of this makes sense. He takes his eyes off Jesus and sinks. But before he goes under, Peter cries out to Jesus to save him and Jesus grabs Peter by the hand.
But it’s the next line that always gets me: Jesus looks Peter in the eye and says, “You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?” I feel like Jesus has looked me in the eye and had to ask me the same question. I know doubt can still be part of my nature, even though He’s proven Himself trustworthy time and time again. But, I’m thankful that there’s no shame in taking our unbelief to the One who can help us overcome that unbelief. And there’s no judgment in admitting to the One who has proven Himself trustworthy that our faith is only as small as a mustard seed.
So, that’s my takeaway…. that’s it…. the end….one lesson per Bible story. Just kidding! Because there's more to this story.... a lot more!
Let’s take another look at the story…. from the beginning.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. (Matthew 14:22)
Did you catch that? Jesus made the disciples get into the boat! Different versions of the Bible use terms like: constrained, directed, compelled, obliged, urged, insisted, commanded. In any case, it’s clear that Jesus sent the disciples off in a boat…at night…knowing they were going to be in harm’s way and face a threatening storm. Does Jesus ever send us into storms? I think He does...maybe to make us stronger, maybe to reveal Himself to us in a new way...maybe for reasons I'll never understand. But surely the disciples should’ve recalled these words from Joshua: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
But the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. (Matthew 14:24)
You can’t see the wind, but it’s a force to be reckoned with. Now, if you’re in a boat trying to row somewhere, the wind is not a problem if it’s moving you in the direction you want to go. But that’s not the case in this story because the wind was against them. And like the wind, there are spiritual forces that are at work in this world that can’t be seen and are always against us. So you might not be in a boat, but we are often dealing with powerful spiritual forces when we are in the midst of a trial. Remember: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
He [Jesus] saw the disciples straining at the oars (Mark 6:48a).
This is a detail in Mark that’s not mentioned in Matthew, but it tells us that He saw them. Jesus saw the storm. He saw their struggle. Surely the disciples realized: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. (Matthew 14:25)
Even though Jesus saw the disciples struggling to row, He didn’t come to their aid right away. It was not until sometime between 3:00am and 6:00am that Jesus made it to the boat. Estimates of how long the disciples were struggling to row range from between 6-9 hours. And this would have been after a very long day of teaching and feeding thousands! No one likes a struggle or a trial, and most of us want it to end as quickly as possible, but sometimes we need to keep up the fight and remain faithful, trusting that the Lord will show up at just the right time. Did the disciples recall the words of Isaiah: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:26-27)
The disciples were tired. They were confused. And when they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them, they were scared to death. But Jesus reassured them. He told them not to be afraid. He told them it was truly Him. We shouldn’t let our vision of Jesus be clouded by our fears, but it can be a process, as we see when the disciples repeat this scenario after Jesus’ resurrection: They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (Luke 24:37-39)
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:32-33)
When Jesus is in the boat with you, things become calmer. His presence brings peace, and the winds of the storm die down. For me, the secret to persevering through the storms of this life is having the peace of God. Having His peace didn't change my circumstances. But it gave me perspective, it gave me hope, it gave me comfort, and it gave me strength. And His peace didn't always come right away, but when it came, it was like the difference between night and day. His Word tells me that He wants to give me His peace, in all circumstances, at all times. And so I remember His words:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Go ahead….step out of the boat….and walk on the water. Don’t doubt because He’s right there with you!