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After Jesus fed the five thousand men and their families (Matthew 14:13-21), the people were ready to crown Him king. But Jesus saw that these actions would interfere with His spiritual mission on Earth and dispersed the crowd. He bade His disciples to take the boat and return at once to Capernaum.

The disciples were disappointed and unbelief filled their minds instead of faith. A violent tempest came upon them and in the storm and darkness of the sea they realized their sin. At the moment when they believed themselves lost, Jesus approached them walking upon the water. And He silenced their fear saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Mathew 14:24-27).

Then, Peter cried out, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. So He said, ‘Come'” (Matthew 14:28, 29). Looking unto Jesus, Peter walked securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glanced back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes were turned from the Savior, waves got in the way when he looked back. For a moment Christ was hidden from his view, and his faith gave way.

When Peter turned his eyes from Jesus, his footing was lost, and he sank in the waves. But when he lifted his eyes and fixed them upon Jesus again, and cried, “Lord, save me” (v. 30). Immediately Jesus outstretched His hand, and said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (v. 31).

When hardship comes upon us, we are often like Peter. We look upon the waves, instead of having our eyes fixed upon the Savior. Jesus never forsakes us after we follow Him. Instead He says, “Fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee…” (Isaiah 43:1-3).

Peter was able to walk on the water by faith in Christ. In this incident, Jesus desired to reveal to Peter his own lack of faith, to show that his safety was in constant trust and dependence upon divine power. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus, can we walk securely over the troubles of life and not get affected by them.

In His service,

BibleAsk Team