Peter Walked on the Sea

Matthew 14:22-33

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

I was impressed with Peter’s word in this story.

“Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” (Matt. 14:28)

I found out four points in this verse;

a         Peter’s obedience to Jesus. He declared he would obey whatever He commanded him to.

b         Peter’s faith in Jesus. He trusted Jesus and he believed he could anything with Jesus.

c         Peter believed he would have peace only in Jesus.

d         He wanted to be like Jesus with higher standard.

Now let us read Jesus’ word and Peter’s reaction.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (Matt. 14:29)

The ship was a kind of fisher’s tools and he should be used to handle it. It must have been the only safe to stay in in the stormy sea. However, it wasn’t safe in fact as it was rocked by the waves. Not only was the ship tossed but also the disciples themselves were frightened by the waves.

Therefore, Jesus told Peter to step out of the ship. Peace is in Him.

Peter obeyed Him with his simple heart.

He got out of the unstable ship and walked toward Jesus on the water, which seemed impossible in general.

Many people love this story because Jesus helped sinking Peter with His mighty loving hand. A lot of paintings of this scene prove that people love the story.

But God doesn’t wish you will sink due to the lack of faith. Without faith you can never please Him.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Jesus rebuked Peter for his little faith in the verse 31 as below.

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matt. 14:31)

Jesus wished Peter had looked up at only Jesus, trusted on Him, and come to Him without any doubt.

The Lord is talking to us now.

Obey My word and have faith in Me.

Step out of the unsolid foundation.

Focus on only Me.

Come to Me.

Live like Me.

And I will walk with you.

You will find peace in Me.

Every scripture was quoted from the King James Bible.

Evangelist Yumi,

Acts 29 Japan

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