Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 NABRE
This verse follows a moment of walking on the water. Jesus has sent his disciples by boat across the Sea of Galilee. He will catch up to them. The disciples were in a storm and frightened, they see someone walking toward them on the water. It frightens them even more. Jesus calls out to assuage their fear and as he does Peter says Lord if it is you command me to come to you on the water. Jesus calls him and Peter begins to walk toward him on the water. The storm and wind seem too much for Peter and he begins to sink, calling out for Jesus to help. Jesus helps as we see in the quoted verse and says “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Together they climb into the boat. Many who read this passage conclude that Peter began to sink because he took his eye off Jesus. Peter was doing well, he had the courage to trust Jesus and get out of the boat. Despite how things turn out Peter shows himself to be trusting and believes in Jesus. But things change, when Peter sees the severity of the weather and he stops seeing Jesus. He relied on Jesus, but now he must rely on himself and sinks. Peter is again helped by Jesus and told his faith is small.
It is faith that leads us to believe in Jesus. It is faith that motivates us to be inspired and disciples of Jesus. Today people seem to be losing the idea of what faith means and demand more and more certitude. If Jesus really exist give us a sign, help us walk on water. Without the sign our faith is less than Peter’s. But faith means there is not certitude. We believe because of what the writers of the gospels have told us about their witness to Jesus. Have faith, you too can walk on water.
How do you measure your faith? Would you get out of the boat?
It is faith that leads us to believe in Jesus. It is faith that motivates us to be inspired and disciples of Jesus. Share on X#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #faith #walk#Matthew #everybodyalways #god#jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #thisVineyard#youversion #everythingalways