Bible Character Studies: Peter, Pt. 2 Bold, impulsive, afraid and wavering at the same time!
It's a new Lord's Day today. I pray our day will be filled with praise and worship to the King of Glory and our minds will be renewed by the washing of His word.
Have a wonderful day!
Peter was a family man, a hard worker and a good provider.
Matthew 8:14-15 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
The next time we read about Peter in Matthew's gospel is where we learn that Peter was married. we also learn that Peter had a home and that his mother-in-law lived with them.
The name "Peter" means a rock. We also learn the name of his father because in this text he was called "Simon bar Jona" which means Simon son of Jona (Matthew 16:17).
The village Bethsaida was birthplace to 3 of the apostles, Peter, Andrew and Philip. It was an important fishing village located where the Jordan River emptied into the Sea of Galilee.
So far we see Peter was a businessman involved in fishing, a family man who provided for his mother-in-law and that he was a ready responder to the call of Christ upon his life, even though he did not know how it would impact him or his family.
Also, the disciples of Jesus Christ just watched as the Son of God fed 5,000 men (plus many more women and children) with a few loaves and fish and how much food was left over. It was an astounding miracle recorded by all 4 gospels. Surely these men would not forget such a display of the power of God in Christ!
Matthew 14:22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Obedience to Christ may lead to stormy waters
Jesus dismissed the multitudes and sent His disciples to sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He sought some solitude for prayer. It was during the 4th watch that Jesus walked on the sea which means it was between 3 AM and 6 AM.
The Sea of Galilee is about 8 miles wide and the disciples had only managed to sail about halfway across the sea. They encountered contrary winds and heavy waves and their progress was slow because they were tiring from the adverse sailing conditions.
The gospel of John tells us that the swells were strong and the waves powerful because of "great winds that arose." (John 6:18). Mark tells us that the disciples were toiling as they attempted to row across the sea (Mark 6:48).
When the disciples saw Jesus they were afraid and thought they had seen a spirit. This may seem strange to us but if they were acquainted with the wild pagan myths about the underworld it is easy to see why fear struck them as it did.
The first words Christ spoke to these men was "Be of good cheer; it is I. Be not afraid." He comforted them and imparted courage to their hearts. If the Lord of Creation demonstrated absolute control over the elements of creation by walking on water, what had they to fear?
Peter acts boldly and impulsively
Matthew 14:28-29 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Here is an example of Peter being impulsive and bold at the same time. He said "Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water."
I am not a swimmer and the thought of stepping out of a boat to go into heaving waters is not appealing to me at all.
Peter was a fisherman and as such he was physically strong and a good swimmer. He was courageous and seemed undaunted at the prospect of following Christ on the stormy sea.
Peter got out of the boat and let himself down on the water and initially walked on the water headed to Jesus. However, fear and unbelief were about to provide Peter with a rude jolt of reality.
Peter took his eyes off Christ and was overwhelmed with circumstances
Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
The moment that Peter took his eyes off his Lord he encountered trouble. First, his eyes saw the "boisterous" winds, angry waves and deep swells. The winds were powerful and strong. Fear entered his heart. Remember, Peter was a seasoned fisherman and an expert at sailing. The physical reality he faced with the winds and raging waters caused him to fear for his life.
The text says Peter began to sink which is a word that means he began to drown. Panic set into Peter's heart as he started sinking down.
Peter immediately cried out to Christ, "Lord, save me."He had gotten into this trouble by taking his eyes off Christ and looking at the circumstances. He got himself out of the trouble by calling upon Jesus Christ who saved him.
Christ will always respond to those who call upon His name for salvation
Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Never ever doubt the heart of God when it comes to saving sinners! Jesus came seeking and saving the lost sheep like you and me. As soon as Peter called on Christ to save him, He did. Jesus reached out to Peter and caught him by the hand.
Jesus upbraided Peter for his lack of faith. The phrase "O thou of little faith" means that Peter was not fully trusting and completely confident in the work and person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, Peter's doubt overcame the part of him that wanted to believe. He wavered.
Remember what James teaches us about those who waver. He called them double minded men.
James 1:6-8 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
A man whose faith wavers is unstable in all his ways and what happened to Peter when he took his eyes of Christ is a vivid example of this. Jesus knew that all His disciples would need intense teaching and instruction to rid their minds of wrong thinking and to instill sound doctrine in their hearts.
Jesus used Peter's wavering faith as a teaching opportunity to help train this man for future apostolic ministry and to help him grow spiritually.
Matthew 14:32-33 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
We cannot forget that the disciples who remained in the safety of the boat witnessed all that happened between Peter and Christ. The text tells us that when Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the raging winds and heaving waves ceased.
John's gospel adds one more unique detail about this miracle.
John 6:21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
Like Peter, we need a willing heart in order to begin a relationship with Christ. He will not force Himself upon us. We must call upon the Lord for salvation.
Not only did the winds and waves cease immediately, but John tells us that the boat was immediately transported safely to its destination on the other side.
This is the motivation for the disciples worshiping Christ and confessing Him as the Son of God.
Points to Ponder.....
Have a wonderful day!
Peter was a family man, a hard worker and a good provider.
Matthew 8:14-15 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
The next time we read about Peter in Matthew's gospel is where we learn that Peter was married. we also learn that Peter had a home and that his mother-in-law lived with them.
The name "Peter" means a rock. We also learn the name of his father because in this text he was called "Simon bar Jona" which means Simon son of Jona (Matthew 16:17).
The village Bethsaida was birthplace to 3 of the apostles, Peter, Andrew and Philip. It was an important fishing village located where the Jordan River emptied into the Sea of Galilee.
So far we see Peter was a businessman involved in fishing, a family man who provided for his mother-in-law and that he was a ready responder to the call of Christ upon his life, even though he did not know how it would impact him or his family.
Also, the disciples of Jesus Christ just watched as the Son of God fed 5,000 men (plus many more women and children) with a few loaves and fish and how much food was left over. It was an astounding miracle recorded by all 4 gospels. Surely these men would not forget such a display of the power of God in Christ!
Matthew 14:22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Obedience to Christ may lead to stormy waters
Jesus dismissed the multitudes and sent His disciples to sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He sought some solitude for prayer. It was during the 4th watch that Jesus walked on the sea which means it was between 3 AM and 6 AM.
The Sea of Galilee is about 8 miles wide and the disciples had only managed to sail about halfway across the sea. They encountered contrary winds and heavy waves and their progress was slow because they were tiring from the adverse sailing conditions.
The gospel of John tells us that the swells were strong and the waves powerful because of "great winds that arose." (John 6:18). Mark tells us that the disciples were toiling as they attempted to row across the sea (Mark 6:48).
When the disciples saw Jesus they were afraid and thought they had seen a spirit. This may seem strange to us but if they were acquainted with the wild pagan myths about the underworld it is easy to see why fear struck them as it did.
The first words Christ spoke to these men was "Be of good cheer; it is I. Be not afraid." He comforted them and imparted courage to their hearts. If the Lord of Creation demonstrated absolute control over the elements of creation by walking on water, what had they to fear?
Peter acts boldly and impulsively
Matthew 14:28-29 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Here is an example of Peter being impulsive and bold at the same time. He said "Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water."
I am not a swimmer and the thought of stepping out of a boat to go into heaving waters is not appealing to me at all.
Peter was a fisherman and as such he was physically strong and a good swimmer. He was courageous and seemed undaunted at the prospect of following Christ on the stormy sea.
Peter got out of the boat and let himself down on the water and initially walked on the water headed to Jesus. However, fear and unbelief were about to provide Peter with a rude jolt of reality.
Peter took his eyes off Christ and was overwhelmed with circumstances
Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
The moment that Peter took his eyes off his Lord he encountered trouble. First, his eyes saw the "boisterous" winds, angry waves and deep swells. The winds were powerful and strong. Fear entered his heart. Remember, Peter was a seasoned fisherman and an expert at sailing. The physical reality he faced with the winds and raging waters caused him to fear for his life.
The text says Peter began to sink which is a word that means he began to drown. Panic set into Peter's heart as he started sinking down.
Peter immediately cried out to Christ, "Lord, save me."He had gotten into this trouble by taking his eyes off Christ and looking at the circumstances. He got himself out of the trouble by calling upon Jesus Christ who saved him.
Christ will always respond to those who call upon His name for salvation
Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Never ever doubt the heart of God when it comes to saving sinners! Jesus came seeking and saving the lost sheep like you and me. As soon as Peter called on Christ to save him, He did. Jesus reached out to Peter and caught him by the hand.
Jesus upbraided Peter for his lack of faith. The phrase "O thou of little faith" means that Peter was not fully trusting and completely confident in the work and person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, Peter's doubt overcame the part of him that wanted to believe. He wavered.
Remember what James teaches us about those who waver. He called them double minded men.
James 1:6-8 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
A man whose faith wavers is unstable in all his ways and what happened to Peter when he took his eyes of Christ is a vivid example of this. Jesus knew that all His disciples would need intense teaching and instruction to rid their minds of wrong thinking and to instill sound doctrine in their hearts.
Jesus used Peter's wavering faith as a teaching opportunity to help train this man for future apostolic ministry and to help him grow spiritually.
Matthew 14:32-33 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
We cannot forget that the disciples who remained in the safety of the boat witnessed all that happened between Peter and Christ. The text tells us that when Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the raging winds and heaving waves ceased.
John's gospel adds one more unique detail about this miracle.
John 6:21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
Like Peter, we need a willing heart in order to begin a relationship with Christ. He will not force Himself upon us. We must call upon the Lord for salvation.
Not only did the winds and waves cease immediately, but John tells us that the boat was immediately transported safely to its destination on the other side.
This is the motivation for the disciples worshiping Christ and confessing Him as the Son of God.
Points to Ponder.....
- Peter shows us that he is a raw disciple who can be bold and impulsive.
- Peter shows us that he is a raw disciple who can believe and then be filled with fear and doubt.
- Jesus Christ used Peter's lack of faith as a teaching moment to bring him back to the reality that the Creator of all is greater than any solitary storm we face.
- Peter's crying out to Christ shows us the Father's willingness to save all who call upon Christ.
- We need hearts that are willing not wavering.
- We need hearts that are worshiping not worry filled.
The Lord Jesus Christ is going to continue to use Peter as an example of strong faith on one hand and as an example of unbelief on the other. In this post we see Peter acting impulsively and boldly. We see him sinking as soon as he took his eyes off Christ. We see Jesus ready and willing to save Peter when he cried out and we see the God-Man who controls all Creation.
We are a lot like Peter. We all have moments when we are all in for Christ and we serve Him with boldness. However, we all have the other moments when we may second guess what God is doing in our lives and our faith wavers.
May we always run to our Lord and call out to Him when we have even the smallest doubt or despair creeping into our thoughts. He will never turn us away for He knows our frame that we are only dust, frail and prone to failure. When we confess our sin and weakness we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He will cleanse us and restore our confidence in Him.
Bob
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