My question is concerning Matthew 14:28. I understand why the disciples were terrified out on a boat during a storm and why they would not be expecting Jesus to come walking by and thought it was a spirit. Peter showed tremendous faith by stepping out of the boat to go to Jesus. The scripture is “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water”. Why did Peter say IF it be thou? Would he not have been 100% sure before taking that first step?
Matt. 14:28-31 was one of Peter’s finer moments. In effect he was saying, “Lord, If you’re who you say you are, command me to come to you on the water, and in faith I’ll obey you, even though it looks impossible.” He literally placed his life in the Lord’s hands.
As long as he ignored everything else and stayed focused on Jesus, Peter could walk on the water. But as soon as he got distracted by his worldly circumstances he began to sink.
In this way Peter became a living demonstration of the Christian life. As long as we ignore everything else and stay focused on Jesus we can do the impossible. But as soon as we get distracted by the things of this world we start to sink.
And just like Peter, no matter where we find ourselves, the minute we call for help He’s right there beside us. There’s no place we can go where He can’t reach us.