Faith Walk

Introduction

Do you remember when you learned to ride a bicycle? I got my first bike when I was about nine years old. It was an old bicycle that someone had given me. I didn’t know how to ride but I decided I would learn. The only problem was that the street we lived on was a short street. We lived about halfway up or down the street depending on the direction one came. At the top of our street was a large hill. This short street began with a large hill—leveled off in front of our house—and then proceeded to another hill before intersecting with another street. The level part of the street was good for the length of six or seven houses. And thus, this became my track for learning.

I would ride for the length of the flat surface and then I would have to stop and turn around and ride back. Eventually I was able to ride the length of the flat area, slow my pedaling, turn and ride back toward our house. With each lap, I became more assured of what I was doing. In fact, confidence exuded as I even became proficient in taking my foot off the pedal to provide balance as I turned the curves of my self made track. Faster and faster I would ride on the street. Feeling the breeze in my face. Having fun. Being like the big kids on our street, I was now a master at riding a bicycle.

I was so confident that I decided to tackle the hill at the top of our street. I rode to the top of our street. My legs became fatigued about halfway up, but I knew that as a master bicycle rider halfway up the hill would not be near as much fun as all the way to the top. And so with great resolve I rode to the top of the hill. Looking down at my imaginary track from the top of the hill is for a nine year old an awesome sight. I couldn’t wait to experience the freedom that comes with pushing off, sitting balanced on the seat, not pedaling and allowing the speed of the bicycle bring a new exhilaration. As I sped down the hill toward my house, enjoying the wind, my hair straight back. All the sweat instantly evaporating from my face, I suddenly became aware that in all of my practice one step had alluded me—stopping.

You see, I had fallen. I had used my foot to stop. I had pedaled slowly so that making turns never required stopping. In my haste to learn to ride my bicycle, I had forgotten the fine art of learning to use the brake. And as I was plummeting down the hill, I now became very much aware that I had no way of stopping. To say that I felt panic would not be fair. Sheer terror is more descriptive. Maybe you have had a similar experience. The first time you rode a roller coaster or you rode with someone whose driving skills left something to be desired. The terror which comes when the unexpected happens. I did stop albeit roughly. I intentionally crashed my bike. I quickly learned to brake.

The Story

Jesus has just fed the 5000. Jesus instantly has become a very popular man. The people have seen his power. They underestimated this man. While his teaching was different, it was his power which motivated the people to see him in a different light. According to John 6:14-15, the people want to make Jesus king and they are not willing to take “no” for an answer. Compiling Matthew’s account and John’s account we discover that when Jesus begins to sense that the crowd is getting restless and wanting to force him to become king, Jesus sends the disciples away. Why? They may have gotten caught up in the hoopla and been encouraged to see Jesus in this way.

Jesus dismisses the crowd. John tells us he secludes himself up on a mountain. Probably what Jesus did as he had done before was to leave the people with a simple word of warning and then proceeded to withdraw from the crowd. Jesus insisted that the disciples get into a boat and row across the Sea of Galilee and he would meet them on the other side. According to John, the disciples had rowed about three miles or so and the boat was being “buffeted” by the waves. The word “buffeted” literally means “tormented.” The wind was blowing against them. Try as hard as they could, they were not making much progress.

Jesus from his vantage point while in prayer looks up and sees the disciples struggling against the elements. Jesus decides to walk out on the water to meet them. Why? What is Jesus trying to accomplish in this miracle? Is he just showing off? Is he trying to scare them? Is this a game for Jesus? Jesus’s motives were always honorable and complete. He has just fed 5000. He is now going to solidify their faith. He doesn’t want to be king. He wants to be Lord.

The disciples see Jesus and believe it to be a ghost or apparition. They cry out in fear. Jesus immediately calms their fears. In fact, when Jesus introduces himself to them he uses two words which are used of deity. “I AM.” Don’t be afraid, the I AM is standing in front of you. They miss the point. They are too afraid to properly hear the significance of his words. But Jesus uses this episode to announce who he is. Peter is the first to respond. Impetuous and spontaneous Peter asks to come to Jesus. Read verse 28 with the word “since” rather than “if.” “Since it is you, I want to come to you.” “Come,” Jesus says.

Peter gets out of the boat. Water isn’t supposed to hold you weight. But with that first step, Peter experiences something no one else has ever experienced. He actually stood on the water. And with slow meaningful steps he walked toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he began to sink. Peter saw what this storm was doing around him and he lost faith. Sinking he calls for Jesus to save him and indeed Jesus does. Jesus asks about Peter’s limited faith and then steps into the boat with the others. Immediately the storm stops and the disciples who have seen a great display of power bow down and worship him calling him the Son of God.

Application

All the gospel accounts have this story immediately following the Feeding of the 5000. That tells us that it is chronologically in order, but it also tells us that this is a pivotal moment for the disciples and in Matthew’s account especially for Peter. While the language is not precise, it seems that Jesus walked close enough to the boat for them to recognize him. Why are they afraid? Didn’t they just see him feed over 5000. Why the fear? They had never seen this before. But they had never seen 5 loaves and 2 fish multiply. Jesus is trying to convince these men that he is the Son of God. He is trying to bolster and strengthen their faith. He feeds a large crowd with very little; he walks on water; he uses the term “I AM” all in an effort to produce greater faith. Faith is more than believing when there is no evidence. Faith is believing in the evidence that is available. The disciples should see what is going on and believe. So should we.

When Jesus said to Peter “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”, what tone of voice do you think Jesus spoke in? Did he speak in tones of disappointment? When are you ever going to learn? Concern? What happened? You almost drowned. Anger? Don’t ever do that again! Remember we are looking at Peter’s life and how he became a rock in Jesus’s kingdom. I would like to think that Jesus spoke in a tone of reassurance. You almost made it. And with a little more faith, you will.

Let me show you one more thing in the text. Look at verse 31. The Greek language is at times very descriptive. Sometimes in translating the words are right but the make up of the words are lost. Such is the case with the word “doubt.” Jesus asks Peter “why did you doubt?” There are about five different words in the Greek language that can be translated doubt. The context determines which word to use. But this word is a compound word made up of two other Greek words. The first means “two” and the second means “standing.” The word “doubt” in this text means “standing in two places.” It is the idea of trying to go in two ways at the same time. Isn’t that what doubt really is? Doubt is seeing two things and not knowing which one is truth. Doubt is trying to hedge against failure by trying to do two things at once. Peter had a real dilemma—trust Jesus or trust the wind. He couldn’t do both. Faith doesn’t mean much if we aren’t willing to put our lives into action.

Peter stepped out of the boat. That’s commendable. But he couldn’t keep his focus on Jesus. He couldn’t keep his faith intact. Instead, he lost sight of what was truly important. But Jesus knew what Peter could become and would become and so should we realize that our doubt becomes an opportunity for us to be reminded of our potential and our direction.

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