Peter: What Can We Learn From Peter's Life?નમૂનો

"Command Me to Come."

In this incredible story, we see Peter have a tremendous, supernatural experience followed by a gut-wrenching failure. We also see something of Peter’s personality. He jumped in with both feet and was quick to commit with his words, but then had trouble following through. This would turn out to be a bit of a pattern in his life. The beautiful thing is that Jesus stuck with him in both his victories and his failures.

At this particular moment, Peter and the disciples were terrified. Not only were they exhausted from battling heavy seas all night, but they now had to deal with what they thought was a ghost approaching them on the water. When that ghost claimed to be Jesus, Peter’s response was to throw out a challenge. Was he really thinking through the words that came out of his mouth? Did he consider the implications before he spoke? Peter is to be commended for the faith and courage that allowed him to actually swing his legs over the side of the boat and set foot on the water. No man had ever done such a thing before! But Jesus granted Peter the superhuman experience of standing on water and not sinking. What a thrill!

The victory was short-lived. Away from the safety of the boat, Peter saw the weather raging around him and his fear returned. Even though he was in the midst of experiencing a tremendous miracle, his faith in Jesus failed. What was Jesus’s response? Verse 31 tells us that when Peter cried out for help, Jesus “immediately” grabbed his hand. He didn’t punish Peter by leaving him in the water a moment longer than necessary. There was a rebuke, but not a rejection. Jesus called out Peter’s lack of faith and then continued to walk alongside him, fostering his growth and maturity. They got back into the boat together.

Reflection:

How does Jesus’s reaction to Peter’s failure encourage you?

How are you currently being challenged to grow in faith?