Mistaken notion's about
faith.
One of my
favorite stories in the Bible is Peter's encounter with Jesus walking on the
water. (Matthew 14:22-33)
One of the
reasons this story intrigues me is because of what I believe are “mistaken notion's about faith”. In the story while Peter is walking out to
Jesus on the water he begins to sink and he cries out to Jesus to save him,
Jesus reaches out, takes him by the hand and says to him "oh ye of little faith". Please note, this is all
happening while Peter and Jesus are standing on the water! Jesus will use this
phrase quite often with his closest disciples, these disciples who are
respected because of their courageous faith. I know that many interpret this
story to mean that Peter’s faith failed in this moment of walking on the water.
But, I don't think that's what was happening at all. I think Peter was just
being human! He can't walk on water! J But on this occasion he did the
impossible because Jesus had invited him out to where Jesus was, walking on the
water. I believe a better understanding is that Jesus was developing and
growing Peter’s faith. Jesus was strengthening his faith and preparing Peter to
accept The Lord’s invitation into an even more difficult and painful task.
I believe Jesus
was saying to Peter (and maybe even us) that if I ever invite you out to where
I am, no matter how impossible the task may seem, please don't ever doubt Me.
I'll be there for you, just like I was tonight.
Where is got
inviting you to walk? Can I encourage you and your faith with knowing that
wherever it is, God will be there for you.
Thanks Garry
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