And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Matthew 14:32
Listen to enough sermons about Peter walking on the water to Jesus and you will hear a familiar refrain. Peter sank into the water because he took his eyes off Jesus. Peter sank into the water because he was afraid. Peter sank into the water because he saw that the wind was boisterous. Peter started sinking beneath the waves because he lacked faith, and doubted.
All of these observations are valid. Peter was afraid. He did start to sink because of unbelief. And he did do the correct thing in crying out, “Lord, save me!” But the lesson doesn’t end there. Most preachers focus on Peter’s sinking. They fail to mention what happened next.
Read of the account in Matthew 14 and you discover that, when Peter and Jesus got back into the boat, the wind stopped. But how did Peter and Jesus get from where they were on the sea back to the boat? They walked. Jesus walked. Peter walked. They both walked together, back to the boat. So, in the margin of your Bible this episode should really be titled, Peter Walks on the Water—Twice. Because Peter didn’t walk on the water just once, did he? He walked the first time with doubts, and the second time without doubts. He walked the first time with his confidence in himself, and the second time with his confidence in Jesus alone.
If you are struggling today because you took your eyes off Jesus and sank into sexual sin, take heart. Follow Peter’s example. Cry out to Jesus to save you. Confess your sin and weakness. Trust Jesus again. Take His outstretched arm. Let Him pull you up and out of the waves. Then walk with Him again, by His side. Let other disciples sit in the boat, observing the action. You belong out on the water with your Savior, doing the impossible.
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