Why Did Peter Get Out of The Boat?

2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14
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Scripture

Matthew 14

22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Observation

Why did Peter want to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus? Have you ever thought about it before? The disciples are in a storm and the waves are fierce. These guys are fisherman for the most part and they are used to storms and heavy waves, but they are not used to seeing someone walking on water towards them. It must have terrified them.

You would have thought that the safe place was in the boat. You would have thought that the first thing that would have been said to Jesus by His disciples was “Jesus, come get into the boat with us”, but it wasn’t. Simon Peter blurted out the first thing when he yelled, “Jesus, if that is really You then let me come out to You.” Think about that for a minute …the safest place is always with Jesus. The boat was not the safe place, the safe place was out walking on the water with Jesus.

Peter walked on the water.

As far as we know no one has ever done that again. It was a short walk of faith. Yes, he did take his eyes off of Jesus during his short walk and he began to sink, but at least he got out of the boat. You would have thought that the other disciples would have seen him walking on the water and you would have thought that they would have jumped out of that boat and headed for Jesus too, but they didn’t. They just sat in the boat and watched Peter and Jesus.

Stepping out in faith is lonely. Don’t expect everyone to follow you. They won’t. Once you step out don’t worry because even if you stumble Jesus will be there to pick you up! But at least get out of the boat!

I wonder what the other disciples said to Peter later about his water walking experience? I am sure that in the back of their minds they wished that they had jumped out of that boat that night too.

Application

I will get out of the boat. We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to step out in faith. Show me what You want me to do and help me to step out in faith to do it. Help me to live by faith and not by sight.

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