And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 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. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Even in the presence of Jesus, it is too easy for us to be afraid of the wind and waves of life that threaten our peace. Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, ‘what would it take for me to stop doubting and start believing?’ But no matter what we see or experience, we still find a reason to doubt. Jesus could have easily let Peter sink to the cold depths of the sea for being scared of the wind and waves. After all, if Jesus Himself calls you out of the boat and causes you to literally walk on the surface of the water, wouldn’t THAT be enough to stop doubting and begin believing?
Yet, as Peter’s fear took over his faith, Christ Jesus still reached out His hand with speed and haste and caught Peter before his own failure spelled his doom.
This is a
perfect parallel to the Grace that Jesus showed us on the cross: God commendeth
His own love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He
doesn’t demand perfection first. He’ll sanctify and edify and reprove his
children later. He only asks for you to step out of the boat, and to walk
toward Him. He’s going to catch you, He’s going to save you, just where you
are, just how you are.
