That Instant In Peter’s Life — Whatever Happened? Part 1.
My focus is on the moments during which Peter stepped out onto the stormy lake, walked towards Jesus, and then started to sink. (Matt. 14:29-31) Have you ever wondered whatever happened in that blink of an eye when he took his eyes off Jesus?
Let’s look back to see what had happened to Peter the day before that “sinking experience.” (Matt. 14: 13-24) Peter had learned, along with the other disciples, the devastating news that John the Baptist had been beheaded. His grieving Master, having withdrawn to a solitary place by boat, had left Peter behind. Towards evening, Peter saw Jesus return, dock his boat, step onto the beach and come face-to-face with thousands of people gathered to be healed.
While Jesus ministered, Peter saw miraculous healings and heard the Lord’s revolutionary ideas. Then evening settled in. Peter — probably hungry himself — joined the rest of the disciples as they asked Jesus to send the crowd away so every one could go get supper.
But that didn’t happen. Jesus, instead, commanded Peter and the other disciples to feed the multitude by using only two fish and five loaves! So this fisherman-disciple participated in the miraculous feeding of the 5000 thousands and saw those baskets of fish and loaves fill and refill until all were fed.
Finally the sun started to set and Jesus commanded Peter and the disciples to take a boat and set off into the lake. Now, keep in mind that Peter was a seasoned fisherman, who had weathered many storms at sea. But in the hours that came to pass, a storm boiled up on that lake until the men were deeply afraid. Then they saw something (a man?) walking on the water. Thinking it was a ghost, Peter became terrified.
Jesus identified himself. “It is I.” Peter, possibly with disbelief combined with a challenge, said, “If it is really you, speak to me. Say something. In fact, tell me to come to you.” Jesus’s commanded him, “Come,” and Peter stepped over the side of the boat, and began moving through the waves. Buffeted by the wind, Peter walked on the water heading towards Jesus.
In the next blog, we will find out what really happened. You know the story. So what do you think went on in the next few minutes of Matthew 14:29? How does this story apply to your life?
In Christ,
