When Doubt Began

It was Peter's idea in the first place.

A quick programming note: We begin again tomorrow! With the beginning of Advent, we are beginning a new cycle of Jesus Daily. We will be walking through different books throughout the coming year in light of Jesus in the gospels, beginning with Isaiah during Advent.

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Matthew 14:22-33

We love this passage. Not only does Jesus walk on water, so does Peter! Well, for a moment, at least.

Often this story is used as an encouragement to have more faith. “If Peter had just believed Jesus that he could walk on water, he could accomplish anything!”

While having more faith is not a bad encouragement and certainly an aspect of what’s going on here, it isn’t about walking on water. It’s not even about “getting out of the safety of the boat.”

Jesus told the disciples to be together in the boat in the first place. Getting out was Peter’s idea. He thought he could tell Jesus what to do (“If it’s really you, tell me to come.”).

When Jesus asks Peter, “Why did you doubt?” he wasn’t asking about walking on water. He was asking about when Peter’s doubt began - in the boat. (“If it’s really you…”).

Jesus did not come so that Peter could walk on water. Jesus came that people might have life by believing in him, his person, and his way.

Matthew 14:22-33

Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone. Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed.

Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.”

And Jesus said, “Come.”

Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!”

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?” When they got into the boat, the wind settled down.

Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You must be God’s Son!”

Prayer

God,

I like phenomena. I like spectacles. I can’t help it: I’m human. I can certainly get lost on YouTube, TikTok, and the like, just watching videos of amazing things I never would have expected.

It would have been cool to be there and see both you and Peter walking on water.

But I’m understanding that a spectacle isn’t the thing. Or, that true spectacles would be eliminating world hunger or war or the like. Or that true spectacles appear even in those moments when freedom is given to one individual, say, from the things of addiction or food insecurity or whatever else might be keeping them from living a full life.

…and that you have called us to take part in such phenomena.

So help me, God: give me eyes for the truly phenomenal. Give me hands to make it happen. And yes, give me the faith to believe it can.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.