Peter A Roller Coaster Walk
Matthew 14:22-31
Everton Hills
7 August, 2016
I like Peter. He is a man after my own heart. I love the way that he speaks before he thinks
about the consequences – like telling Jesus that he would even die for him. I love his faults – like
the fact that he denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed. I love the fact that he stood for
justice – like drawing his sword and striking out at the High Priest’s slave when Jesus was
arrested. Peter was impetuous, passionate and flawed… and at times I see a lot of myself in him.
So it is hardly surprising that after a hard day’s work – feeding the five thousand, after taking
another boat trip on the sea of Galilee, after getting caught in a massive sea storm, after noticing
Jesus ‘walking on water’ toward them, after hearing Jesus say “Don’t be afraid, take courage. I
am here!”, it is hardly surprising that Peter first of all asks if he can walk on water to him, and
then simply gets up and goes. There is not much thinking about it. He just acts! And before too
long, perhaps before he has even taken a few steps out onto the open water, he takes his eyes off
Jesus and sinks like a rock.
Good old impetuous, passionate and flawed Peter.
But here is the thing. At least, he got out of the boat!
In many respects this story reminds me of the time I gave my dad a hard time about how to
effectively share God’s love with others… We were out the front of the house, gardening, when
one of the neighbour’s boys came up, and dad took the opportunity to briefly talk about the real
meaning of Christmas.
I was so embarrassed. And I told him – my dad, that is. To which he rightly replied, “But David,
I prefer my way of doing something than your way of doing nothing.”
That’s what I like about this story of Peter and walking on water. He did something! He got out
of the boat! He had a crack at putting his faith to the test.
Think about that for a bit… Peter got out of a perfectly safe boat in the middle of a storm. No
matter how scary it might have been in the boat, it would have been worse being out! At least in
the boat, as wet as you might be, as terrifying as it might be, you at least feel as though you have
something solid under your feet. But out of the boat… all that stops you from sinking is…
well… nothing… but faith.
Second, when Peter got out of the boat, it was dark. Not just dark. The bible says that it
happened around 3 o’clock in the morning. So it was dark and in the middle of the night!
Have you ever been swimming in the middle of the night… in a storm? That wouldn’t be my
idea of fun!
But listen again to what happens.
“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water
toward Jesus. (Matthew 14:29, NLT)
How amazing is that!
Peter hears Jesus’ invitation, and steps out in faith!
Peter hears Jesus’ invitation and steps away from the relative safety of the boat.
Peter hears Jesus’ invitation and does something that seems to be scientifically impossible… he
walks on water!
Throughout life, we hear Jesus’ invitation.
Mostly it is an invitation that tests our convictions and our courage…
It might be about sharing your faith with someone else.
It might be about responding in worship the way that touches your heart.
It might be about an invitation to be more courageous in your giving of forgiveness or of your
financial generosity.
Whatever it is, Jesus speaks to our heart and encourages us to step out of the boat in faith, in
order to grow in trust. That’s what risk taking is all about. It is not about the end result… it
wasn’t the walking on water that impacted Peter. It was what happened next when he began to
sink! Trusting Jesus is all about the journey!
And that leads to the third thing I want you to notice about Peter. His step of faith is flawed! His
step of faith leads him into a crisis of faith. And you need to know that there is nothing to fear
about a flawed faith or a crisis of faith. Because faith can only grow as we learn to be vulnerable!
So what happens?
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
“Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You
have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”” (Matthew 14:30–31, NLT)
Even though Peter’s losing focus on Jesus’ invitation, the bible refers to it as ‘noticing the big
waves’, Jesus doesn’t let him sink – much. He sinks a little bit. In the midst of the storm, in the
midst of the doubt, in the midst of the discomfort or worry about the decision that was made,
Jesus holds out his hand and grabs him; and returns him to the safety of the boat!
No matter what you are going through, no matter what invitation of Jesus you are responding to,
you are not in it alone, for Jesus is standing right there by your side to help you out!
So that is Peter; impetuous, passionate and flawed!
But what of the other 11. Those who didn’t get out of the boat.
Well, I can think of at least three reasons why they didn’t…
First, they didn’t ask. Remember, it was Peter who said
“Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” (Matthew 14:28, NLT) Jesus invites
us to ask him what he wants us to do.
Second, the other 11 disciples, along with Peter, were afraid. They saw the storm. But there fear
of what might happen, was greater than the opportunity of would could happen. They could
walk on water. They could have an amazing story to tell. They could grow in their faith.
Third, they didn’t get out of the boat because they felt safer where they were. How many of us
feel safer holding on to the status quo, doing as everyone else does, than responding to whatever
it is that Jesus might be inviting us to do!
We are all riding in a boat. We all have things to which we cling that help us stay within our
‘comfort zone’. It might be your job, your relationships, an addiction of some description, how
you worship, some ritual or tradition, your family or your friends. Anything that makes you feel
comfortable and in control.
But Jesus doesn’t want to leave you there. He loves you too much. He invites you to step away
from the boat, with your flaws and your fears, to take a risk for him. We don’t grow from playing
safe. We grow because we know that despite the storms, despite our doubts, despite our anxiety,
Jesus is beside you to lift you up and carry you, and restore you to safe ground.
So what can we learn from Peter?
1. We will find ourselves in the middle of storms. Some big. Some small. But all are scary.
2. The storms of life are not meant to break us but to make us. They are invitations from God
to step up and step out.
3. Jesus is always there in the midst of the storm. Ready to hold you and strengthen you in
your need.
May your walk through life continue to be a roller coaster. And may its excitement help you to
discover God’s transforming love and peace.