Peter, Walks on Water

We’ve been taking a look at Peter and what lessons his life can teach us.

Today, we are going to take a look at when Peter walked on water.  This passage can be found in Matthew 14:24-31.

“But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

Jesus walked on water towards the disciples

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Jesus had gone away to play and when he returned, the disciples were out at sea in their fishing boats.  The sea was choppy that night as the waves crashed against the boat and tossed and the wind blew the boat against the waves.

The disciples look up to see someone walking on the water.  They do not know what it is or what to think.  At first they believe it is a spirit and cry out.  That is when Jesus speaks to them and tells them not to be afraid.

Peter called out to Jesus

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

We know from scripture that Peter is outspoken and when he sees Jesus on the water he calls out to him and ask him to bid him onto the water.

“Peter walked upon the water, not for diversion or to boast of it, but to go to Jesus; and in that he was thus wonderfully borne up.”   {Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.}

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

He stepped out on the water towards Jesus

We are all familiar with the pictures of Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on the water.

“Christ bade Peter come, not only that he might walk upon the water, and so know his Lord’s power, but that he might know his own weakness. And the Lord often lets his servants have their choice, to humble and prove them, and to show the greatness of his power and grace. When we look off from Christ, and look at the greatness of opposing difficulties, we shall begin to fall; but when we call to him, he will stretch out his arm, and save us.”   {Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.}

When he took his eyes off Jesus he fell into the water

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

Peter realized how fierce the wind was and began to grow afraid.

“He stepped into the water, but the roaring winds and rushing billows were too much for his faith.”  {Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.}

Imagine realizing that you are walking on the water.  There are two choices.  We can choose to keep our eyes on Jesus or to take our eyes off and begin to sink.  However, as he began to sink, Peter cried out to the Lord.

“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O

Jesus reached out a hand to Peter

thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”   {v.31}

“Peter’s act did not exemplify his faith, but his doubts. True faith never attempts wonders merely for the sake of doing them. It is a fact that ought to be noted that the Gospels narrate the failures in miraculous power on the part of the apostles as well as their success. No book of myths would do this. At the same time, it is always made plain why they failed.”   {Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.}

When you begin to sink in the storms of life where do you turn?

Pictures courtesy of FreeBibleImages.org