The Audacity of Faith – The Water Walker

Matthew 14:22 – 36

There are 2 stories of Peter that I love so much. First, his initial call to be a fisher of men – “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the net.” (Luke 5:5) and his walking on water experience – “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28)

Peter was, on both occasions, an example of childlike faith. In present day interpretation – “a ride or die” kinda guy. All Peter ever needed was an instruction. He was always ready to do the impossible – even though it sometimes seemed irrational.

In the subject text, we see another way in which Peter has expressed this loyalist attitude towards Christ. Just tell me to come. Many of us, like Peter, are just waiting to hear something from God in order to do the impossible. It was not enough that Jesus had just told them “Take heart, it is i. Do not be afraid” in the previous verse (vrs. 27), Peter wanted to try new things. He wasn’t just awed by Jesus walking on water. He had seen Jesus perform miracles, he wanted in.

“Come”

That was all Peter needed. Now remember that Peter already experienced first hand what it meant to work in your own strength as against working based on the instruction of Jesus. At Peter’s first interaction with Jesus, Jesus gave him a similar word to throw his net out for a catch even though Peter had already toiled all night. In this instance, do you think Peter didn’t know that it was impossible to walk on water. As a fisherman, more than anyone else, he knew that water was for swimming and land was for walking.

“And when Peter was come down from the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus” (vrs 29)

He was going to Jesus, not just to accomplish the impossible and say “wow, I walked on water!” Why do you want to walk on water? To build your faith or to boast?