Being Part of the Adventure - Matthew 14:22-36

The crowd had now eaten their fill, and could be happily sent on their way home. The disciples had been able to participate in a demonstration of what Jesus could do when the available resources seemed too limited. As they distributed the loaves and fishes, this food kept multiplying, and easily fed the thousands gathered with much still left over. Now Jesus might get the chance for some well needed rest and prayer.

Next morning, after a difficult night at sea in very rough weather, the disciples see someone who looks like Jesus, but must really be some sort of ghost, walking across the water toward them. Tired and scared they cry out! Jesus, understanding their stress and uncertainty, speaks to them, and reassures them that it is really him, and therefore they should not be afraid. Whatever it is that is worrying them – whether it is the fear of drowning at sea, or whether it is uncertainty about what is happening with these amazing occurrences (multiplying bread & fish, Jesus walking on water), the presence of Jesus amongst them will be enough to settle things down and gradually bring understanding.

Then suddenly Peter wanted to get out of the boat into the rough water! What do you reckon Peter was thinking? "If this is really Jesus, then on the basis of what I’ve already witnessed, no harm could come to me!" If this was what Peter was thinking, then of course he was absolutely right! Jesus, recognising boldness and growing faith, encouraged Peter to take that step out of the boat. And Peter walked on water as well – just as Jesus doing!

It is possible to emulate Jesus in front of the watching world. Peter could have fallen flat on his face – literally sinking to the bottom of the ocean, with the other disciples laughing their heads off at Peter’s stupidity, before having to jump in to save him. But Peter did not let this possibility daunt him – he stepped out! And because Peter stepped out, he experienced something exhilarating – better than any thrill ride at the Gold Coast. He was experiencing something of being Jesus – completely able to deal with any complexity in life.

However, he wasn’t Jesus – he was human (and a very fallible human)! It’s human to have doubts – we try to get on top of them through an understanding of God’s Word, by utilising prayer, and by reminding ourselves how faithful God has been to us in the past, however doubts will still arise from time to time. Sometimes doubt actually offers us an opportunity to strengthen our faith and break out of mediocrity and the status quo. It is not surprising that when Peter got over his amazement at walking on the water, and looked around and saw the wind and the waves, that he had real second thoughts about all this!

What had Peter done? Peter had taken his eyes off Jesus (and his power), and started to think about his own human limitations. Because of this he naturally began to sink. When we get a good idea, that seems to be in line with God’s purposes, and trust Jesus for the outcome – we can stand tall, and start experiencing something of what is to be Jesus – there are great things and many blessings occurring around us! We are on mission for God – despite often being in the midst of a fierce storm. But if we start doubting that we can pull it off, if we take our eyes of Jesus, if we start thinking again about our limitations, if we start to let our tiredness or fear get on top of us, we’re likely to sink as well.

At least Peter realised this very quickly – he realised his human doubts were leading him towards real peril. He didn’t wait until it was too late and he was drowning – Peter cried out again for Jesus to help him. Of course, Jesus was there! Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed hold of Peter!! This shows that despite doubts being exposed, Jesus will not allow anyone who steps out in faith to drown in stormy seas. Jesus understands the complexities and difficulties of standing up for him, and living life following his example; therefore will continually offer grace, care and support for the one who sticks their neck out, takes risks, who gets involved in God’s mission in the world.

How do you read “You of little faith, why did you doubt”? Was this a condemnation of Peter – a rebuke? Or, was it a statement of comfort and reassurance?? I think the latter – that little moment of doubt did not negate the magnificent step of faith and courage in walking into the raging waters. Larry Richards wrote, “If later he flinched at the fearful waves, it was only because [Peter] had faith enough to dare”. This statement of Jesus was to be of personal reassurance to Peter, that there is no reason to allow doubt to restrict that sort of boldness he’d shown by getting out of the boat in the first place.

Sometimes we accept Jesus into our lives as Saviour, Lord and Friend, but very quickly the pressures of life (we might say the ‘storms of life’) start impacting us, and it all seems a bit hard, and we tend to lose track of where Jesus is in this. The worst thing to do is to start withdrawing back into our previous limitations, cutting ourselves off from Christian community, neglecting bible study and ceasing prayer; because then we’ll surely start to sink. The best thing to do, like Peter did, is to cry out to Jesus – “Lord, save me”. And part of crying out to Jesus today, is to ask for help from your trusted Christian friends, who can share something of Jesus with you!

Jesus assisted Peter back into the boat, and the storm passed. If this storm was seen as a test for Peter – I would say Peter passed magnificently! In recognising an opportunity to connect with Jesus, albeit in dangerous circumstances, Peter boldly went forward. And when human doubt crept into him, he immediately asked for help. When help arrived, he took hold of that divine assistance with both hands, and responded with worship and praise and bold words of faith – “Truly you are the Son of God”. Certainly Peter was well fitted for key leadership in the early church, because he had so deftly dealt with his fears and doubts.

On a previous occasion where the disciples were on a boat in a storm (recorded earlier in Matthew 8:23-27), in their fear they had to wake the sleeping Jesus and ask him to help them. When Jesus calmed the storm on that occasion, they were in great wonder about who this Jesus really was. Now, Peter, with such a personal experience of trust under his belt, was confidently able to testify to who Jesus was. Peter had proven Jesus' identity as “Son of God” to be so true – as he took a risk and ventured out into the unknown. And this confidence had spread to the other disciples as well as they witnessed this remarkable happening. Peter’s willingness to get involved in God’s mission to the world had reinforced and developed his faith. Now they could sail on to Gennesaret and be involved in more ministry to the crowds that would gather there.

Let’s be part of God’s adventure in the world! Let’s boldly connect with what God wants to do in people’s lives; and what might seem impossible becomes possible! When it gets hard and becomes a bit stormy around us, let’s trust that Jesus will pull us through. Many in our community will be blessed, and together with us, be caused to truly worship God in their daily lives.