Now that we are in October, it is safe to say it is officially Fall. The weather is cooler and more comfortable. It is my favorite time of year; maybe you can relate. I think we like Fall months because the temperature is usually perfectly comfortable. While there is nothing wrong with being comfortable temperature-wise, being comfortable in our spiritual lives may hold us back. You see, it is often in moments of discomfort that we take big leaps of faith and steps of obedience that may feel hard, which leads to some of our greatest growth.
Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples we have been talking about all week, set a remarkable example of his willingness to be uncomfortable by taking some giant steps of faith. We read about this in Matthew 14. In this passage, Peter saw Jesus feed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish in a stunning miracle. After this miracle, Jesus went away to be by Himself while His disciples were in their boat on the water (verses 23-24). While the disciples were in their boat, the wind blew, and the waves grew so big that the disciples were “in trouble” (verse 24). “About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water” (verse 25). The catch is, the disciples did not recognize Jesus. They thought He was a ghost and were, therefore, terrified” (verse 26). After Jesus revealed that it was not a ghost they were seeing but Jesus, Peter did something surprising. He said, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come to you, walking on the water” (verse 28). When Jesus told him to come, Peter obeyed, stepping out on the water amidst the wind and waves. This was a big deal. Peter had so much faith in Jesus that he believed Jesus’ power could enable him to walk on the water. Amazingly, as Peter obeyed Jesus, he indeed “walked on the water toward Jesus” (verse 29). Do not miss the extraordinary act of faith Peter displayed in this passage of Scripture. He was willing to get uncomfortable by asking Jesus to do the impossible that only God could do.
Peter’s story did not end there, however. You see, Matthew 14 continues by telling us that while he was walking on water, suddenly Peter noticed the wind and waves surrounding him (verse 30). Fearing the rapid waters, Peter became afraid and “began to sink,” begging Jesus to save him (verse 30). Jesus did exactly what Peter asked and grabbed him, saving his life (verse 31). As Jesus did this, He said to Peter, “You have so little faith…why did you doubt Me?” (verse 31). That was a good question. Peter’s faith had led him to take an extraordinary step and walk on water toward Jesus. He had faith, so why did he doubt? He doubted when he focused on the storm around him, which caused him to sink in fear. I love that this part of Peter’s story reminds us that our efforts to grow in faith are not linear. Sometimes we willingly get uncomfortable and take huge leaps of faith, trusting God through it all, only to suddenly notice the storms life brings and begin to doubt. These moments do not disqualify us. If we, like Peter, cry out to Christ in our moments of fear and doubt, He is there to rescue us so that we can turn our eyes back to Him and keep following Him.
When it comes to your own faith, are you, like Peter, willing to get uncomfortable? Are you willing to obey even when His commands feel hard or stretch you? Maybe you, like Peter, have taken incredible steps of faith, but right now doubt is creeping in, and you are tempted to turn to fear. Call out to God today. Let Him restore your faith and set your eyes back on Him. As God stretches us, we will see tremendous growth.
What is a step of faith that you know God is leading you toward, but you have held on to your own comfort rather than choosing obedience? Maybe that step is sharing your faith with a lost friend or family member, letting go of a sin habit that you know dishonors God, or something else. Whatever that looks like for you, take a step of obedience today. Ask God to help you as you seek to take that step.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
1 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”
3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.
6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. 8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” 9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
Jesus Walks on Water
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.
34 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. 36 They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
