Little Faith

In Matthew 14: Matthew 14 we read about Jesus walking on water to reach His disciples who were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee during a storm. Peter asks Jesus to command him to come to Jesus on the water so Jesus says, “Come” and Peter begins to walk on the water toward Jesus. Can you imagine what was going through Peter’s mind at that moment? He’s walking on water!!! But then the Bible says that when Peter saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid and cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Jesus stretches out His hand, catches Peter and says, “Oh you of little faith..why did you doubt?” Then they get into the boat and the wind ceases. This is one of the times I wish we had video. What was the look on Jesus’ face when He said, “Oh you of little faith…why did you doubt?” Do you know what I think? Now, I don’t know for sure so I could be wrong but I think that Jesus said this with a smile on His face….maybe with a little nod of His head back and forth, patting Peter on the back as they went to the boat….maybe even with a little chuckle. Perhaps with Jesus even thinking to Himself…O Peter, if you only knew what was going to unfold in your life in the next ten years….

That’s the way I picture it. I don’t see Jesus condemning Peter here with these words. After all, Peter was the only one who asked to get out of the boat. I see Jesus encouraging Peter. I see Jesus taking this opportunity to teach Peter that if Peter keeps His eyes on Jesus, he will be just fine. I see Jesus thinking to Himself: “Peter, I know you doubted now, and you will doubt again, but there will come a day when you won’t doubt Me at all..even to your own death.” I see Jesus doing the same thing with you and me today. Yes, we doubt. Yes, we sin. But I don’t see Jesus condemning us for our lack of faith. I see Him encouraging us to grow in our faith. Let’s do the same for others. When others around us begin to fall, let’s extend our hand to pick them up and let’s lovingly and encouragingly try to help them see Jesus. And when we fall, let’s “listen” for the encouraging words of Jesus in our hearts.