"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29 "Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Matthew14:28-33
The second word of the Creed is "believe."
We've already seen that faith is personal and intimate - a relationship. Now we move to the foundation that this relationship is based upon: Faith.
But faith is a tough word to define.
Our gospel account of Peter's Galilee-stroll is a very valuable lesson in the nature of faith.
It's the fourth watch of the morning (3AM-6AM).
The disciples have been pulling against the oars all night.
Their body clocks are at their lowest ebb.
Then a scary apparition comes across the water.
But it's Jesus - they recognise His voice and it looks like Him.
Peter calls and is invited to do what he asked to do.
And so Peter hoists his leg over the gunwale and plants his first foot on the water and takes his first step.
Towards Jesus.
Maybe Peter's faith is best described as his trust in Jesus.
Maybe faith is not about a complex set of beliefs.
Or even the tight set of a determined jaw...
It's not about mind over water.
It's that Peter sees Jesus and wants to be with Him.
Faith is a relationship with One who is Trustworthy.
Faith is trust. It's wanting to be where He is.
Peter is fine while he's moving TOWARD Jesus.
It's when He looks elsewhere that he sinks.
But even then Jesus has him - because Jesus is trustworthy.
Faith is not a cranial mindset - it's a trusting relationship where we move toward Him. It's taking another step closer to Him and knowing that no matter where He's standing - on water, in the fire, or in the tomb - He is able to catch us.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
