FAITHWALKERS

The Bible is full of great stories of danger, intrigue and colorful characters. The Apostle Peter was one such character. His story begins (as all good stories do) on a dark and stormy night… It was a dark and stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. A small ship carrying the twelve Disciples of Jesus was being tossed to and fro. Fear gripped their hearts, and chaos followed. Then, when things couldn’t get any worse, a ghost appeared (walking on the water) and was coming toward them. Chaos turned to panic, and panic to terror. The twelve Disciples began screaming and hollering like a bunch of teens watching the latest horror movie. Straightaway, the ghost spoke; “Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid. One disciple, Peter, stopped long enough to look over the gunwale of their little ship and answered, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” (Peter was always a bit of a show-off.) This “ghost” then said, “come.” Without hesitation, Peter jumped over the railing into the raging sea. Verse 29 of this chapter says he walked on the water to go to Jesus: And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus (Matthew 14:29) Peter then did what most of us would have; he took his eyes off the Lord to check out the twenty foot waves, became afraid and began sinking crying out “Lord, save me!” which Jesus immediately did. Many books written, or sermons preached on this subject, focus on this ending: Bible scholars focus on Jesus’ rebuking Peter’s little faith and Christ’s ability to save us in times of trouble. However, there would be no story at all if Peter hadn’t had the faith to step out of the boat in the first place. Let’s take an in-depth look at the Biblical account found in the Gospel of St. Matthew… 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. 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. (Matthew 14:22&23) Jesus just finished healing the sick and feeding the multitude. He was clearly moved with compassion, but needed to get alone with His Father, so He sent his Disciples away. Then Jesus departed alone to pray. Later, in the evening, a storm came up and the little ship carrying the Disciples was tossed with the waves; “for the wind was contrary.” Fade into the ship’s deck. Waves were pouring over the gunwales. The Disciples, (some of whom were experienced seamen), were scurrying about securing lines, tying down supplies, furling the jib and reefing the main-sail. Night was quickly turning into morning and the Disciples were weary of their battle with the sea. After praying (around 3:00 AM) Jesus walked on the sea toward his Disciples. In the darkness, all they could see was the outline of a man, assumed it was a ghost (spirit), and started screaming in fear. Immediately Jesus calmed them by saying, “Be of good cheer: It is I; be not afraid.” ShortHIKE: Jesus still tries to calm His children in the midst of the storm. Peter alone heard the Lord say, “be of good cheer!” About eight percent of those in the boat were listening to Jesus. Sadly, that percentage appears to hold true today. Don’t think for a moment the ghost, speaking audibly, calmed the Disciples. Remember, the boat was in the middle of what we might today consider a category three hurricane, with winds roaring through the lanyards and waves crashing onto the deck. Now a talking ghost? Fear turned to panic! In the midst of the chaos Peter took a moment to check out this ghost. He looked over the handrail shouting “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Peter’s compatriots couldn’t hear what he was saying, but when they saw him jump over the side they grabbed him, trying to stop him from falling overboard. Peter, being Peter, would have none of it and pressed onward. Recognizing the spirit as his Lord, he jumped out of the boat and stood on solid water! Now his buddies knew he was crazy, calling for him to get back in the boat before he was lost to the sea. They still didn’t recognize Jesus. Peter, however, kept his eyes fixed upon the One who called him. Nothing was going to stop his early morning walk. His determination and resolve overcame his doubt and fear. Peter became a bona-fide FaithWalker. FaithWalkers: A Step by Step Guide to Pleasing God through Faith, is a book about being of faith, walking in faith, and pleasing God through faith. Jesus said to Peter as He held his hand, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Jesus did not chasten or rebuke Peter for having no faith. Rather he lovingly smiled, saying, “You were so close Peter, why did you doubt? I was right here.” When I was a young boy learning to ride a two-wheeler, my Dad would hold the bicycle seat to steady me. Every time he took his hand off I started to wobble, becoming afraid. Dad would immediately grab the seat, giving me verbal reassurance telling me not to worry. He was right there with me. He didn’t rebuke me for being afraid I would fall. He understood my anxiety and reassured me just as Jesus did for Peter. Shortly I was riding longer without his steady hand, eventually pedaling on my own. My faith was increased! Let’s read this account again, using my bicycle example. We will find there was no rebuke. Instead, a loving Father reassuring a child of His presence. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:31) “Why were you afraid, Peter? I was right here all the time.” Jesus was pleased with Peter for having enough faith to take that first step (out of the boat) and wasn’t surprised at Peter’s lapse. The fact is He expected it. Peter had the faith to step out of the boat, and Jesus simply caught him when he began to fall. There is great misunderstanding of what the Bible calls faith. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is not something we have, or don’t have. Faith is something we do. Faith is an action. Faith is not measured by how we feel, or what we think about ourselves and our relationship with God. Peter walked on water because of his faith in Jesus. He didn’t stop to think about it, or wonder what would happen. He just stepped out in faith. His action proved his faith. He did not lose his faith and start to sink. What he did changed. He looked at the circumstances around him, taking his eyes off of the One giving him the ability to walk on water. I hear people say, “I’ve lost my faith.” Really? Or have you taken your eyes off of the only One who gives you the ability to act in faith? On our walk of faith, we will learn to act in faith. Often prayers are uttered, “God, increase my faith.” It’s not God’s job to increase our faith. In the book of Luke, the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith: And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. (Luke 17:5) (emphasis mine) Jesus didn’t say, “Well, okay guys, here’s some more faith.” Instead, He challenged them with His response: And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.