And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
The first time I successfully rode a bike, I was so surprised I immediately crashed. I suppose we can call it my imitation of Peter. He had just witnessed Jesus feeding the 5,000, and then seen him walking on the water. His response was that he wanted to do it too. He was bold, adventurous, and fearless; well almost. Peter actually got out of the boat and walked on the water. Amazing! Then he remembered he was a mere mortal man, that it was impossible to walk on the water, and that the wind and waves stood a fighting chance of drowning him. That is when fear took over and did its job; to prevent us from doing amazing things.
Fortunately, Jesus was there to save Peter. Fortunately, Jesus is there to save us. We sometimes find ourselves doing amazing things for Jesus but suddenly realize that we can’t do it, and the thing collapses. We have forgotten that it is not us doing it. Jesus himself told us in John 15 that, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Today, you may find yourself in a scary situation in the world where your faith will be tested. Remember these words from Jesus to his disciples…
Take heart; it is I; do not be afraid.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church