The Story Of Peter In The Bible Walking On Water
One of the most famous stories in the Bible is the account of Peter walking on water. This miraculous event is recorded in the book of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22-33. It is a story of faith, courage, and the power of God to overcome our fears and doubts. Let us take a closer look at the story and see what lessons we can learn from it.
The Context of the Story
The story takes place on the Sea of Galilee, a large freshwater lake in Israel. Jesus had just finished feeding a crowd of 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Afterward, he told his disciples to get into a boat and cross to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowd. Jesus then went up on a mountainside to pray.
The Miracle of Walking on Water
As the disciples were crossing the lake, a strong wind began to blow, and the waves grew higher. The boat was being tossed around, and the disciples were afraid they would capsize. Then, in the middle of the night, they saw something that terrified them even more: Jesus walking on the water toward them. They thought he was a ghost and cried out in fear.
But Jesus reassured them, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Peter, ever the impulsive one, responded, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come." Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
At first, Peter was doing well. He was actually walking on water! But then he became afraid as he noticed the wind and waves around him. He began to sink and cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught Peter. He said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
The Lesson of the Story
There are many lessons we can learn from this story. One of the most obvious is the power of faith in God. Peter was able to walk on water as long as he had faith in Jesus. But when he began to doubt, he sank. This is a powerful metaphor for our own lives. When we have faith in God, we can do amazing things. But when we doubt, we can easily become overwhelmed by our fears and doubts.
Another lesson we can learn is the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones. Peter was willing to take a risk and step out of the boat. He was willing to do something that seemed impossible. This is a lesson for all of us. We need to be willing to take risks and step out of our comfort zones if we want to grow and reach our full potential.
Finally, the story teaches us about the power of God to save us. When Peter began to sink, he cried out to Jesus for help. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him. This is a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, God is there to help us. All we need to do is cry out to him in faith and trust that he will save us.
Conclusion
The story of Peter walking on water is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, courage, and the power of God to overcome our fears and doubts. It is a story that has inspired countless people over the centuries and continues to inspire us today. Let us remember the lessons of this story and put them into practice in our own lives.