Christian Faith: Faith to Walk on Water - Part 2

Christian Faith 2: Why do you doubt? (Matthew 14:22-33)

It is important to remember that this happened after Jesus learned that His cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded.

After that, Jesus immediately instructed His disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds home. And after He had sent the crowds away, Jesus went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. But the disciples' boat was already several miles from shore, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. When His disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified and cried out, "It's a ghost!" and they screamed in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid!" Then Peter called out and answered Him: "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You walking on the water." Jesus said: "Come!" So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he felt the force of the wind, he became afraid and began to sink, and he cried out: "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, took hold of him, and said: "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Then they got into the boat and the wind died down. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying: "Truly You are the Son of God."

Command me

There is much meaning in this passage about Christian faith: the power in Jesus' words, and also a glimpse of understanding in Peter's mind. We will focus on Peter's words: "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You walking on the water."

"Command me" can also be understood as "order me."

We know that Peter realized this. "If this really is Jesus and not some evil spirit ... If Jesus commands it, then it will happen! So, perhaps ..." And so Peter made his request.

Jesus gave the command: "Come." And Peter put his faith into action. He got out of the boat and began to walk! On the water!

It turns out that it was not only Jesus' command that kept Peter on the surface of the water. Peter's own faith was another essential element. When Peter's faith wavered, so did his ability to walk on the water. "You of little faith," Jesus said, "why did you doubt?"

Christian Faith 3: Faith to walk on water today (Application of Matthew 14:22-33)

Glenn Petruzzi is a disciple of Jesus with extraordinary Christian faith. A few years ago, he tried to walk on water in front of all the attendees at the camp for New England preteens. He was unsuccessful, and thought the problem lay in the lack of faith he had. Actually, no. I believe he had the same kind and depth of faith that Peter had.  

So, what element was missing?

Without Jesus giving a command to a human being to do what should have been impossible, without His power to overturn the laws of physics, Glenn could not walk on water. There is no record of Peter doing it again, even though he performed many miracles after Jesus' ascension.

Here is an explanation of Christian faith that enables us to walk on water in the present day:

If the Lord had arranged things so that you were in the same boat as Peter and the other apostles (set aside the impossibility of the situation and suppose it really happened), then when Peter said, "Command me to come to You ..." would you say, "Jesus, may I also come to You?"

There were many other disciples of Jesus in that boat, deeply committed and remarkable. Yet not one of them asked Him that.

Here are two important aspects of understanding faith to walk on water:

• Faith to ask God or the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit
• Faith to act or persevere to the very end

Some people need to grow in faith to understand how to ask the Lord for important and spiritual things, whether related to change or understanding. When we ask, we must avoid doubt. When we see an opportunity from God, we need to put faith into action.

Christian Faith 4: Faith as small as a mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32)

Again He said: "What shall we compare the kingdom of God to, or what parable shall we use to describe it? The kingdom is like a mustard seed, which is sown in the ground. It is indeed the smallest of all the seeds on earth. Yet when it is sown, it grows and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can nest in its shade."

A mustard seed does not concern itself with its outward appearance. God has given it the ability to grow into a very large tree, improving the quality of life of the birds and other creatures that take shelter in it.

Because God responds to our attitude of faith, because our prayers are precious to Him, whatever our outward appearance may be will not affect what we can receive or the blessings that await us.

Continued in Christian Faith: Faith to Walk on Water - Part 3

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