Today’s superhero is one not many would think of as a superhero. We usually see Peter as one of us. He seems to have a knack for sticking his foot in his mouth. Like the time he spoke up strongly saying he would never deny Christ. The remarkable part of this action is that he was talking to Jesus himself. The one who is God in the flesh, knows all, and is everywhere. Jesus told Peter he would deny Him, but Peter boldly said, “yet will I not deny thee.” However, we know what happened when they arrested Jesus and Peter was following afar off. When a maiden identified him as one of Jesus’ disciples, he did deny Christ.
Matthew 26:35 “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”
Peter was impetuous always speaking and acting before he thought. He whacked off Malchus’s ear when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden. This was a major flaw in Peter’s personality. I think many of us can relate to Peter and love him so much because he shows us that those closest to Jesus can make mistakes and still be used by God.
John 18:10-11 “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”
You may be wondering why I would call Peter a superhero. After all, a superhero is someone who does the extraordinary not the ordinary. Jesus had just finished feeding the 5000 plus women and children miraculously. He and His disciples were tired. He tells the disciples to go to their ship and launch out into the water to the other side. Jesus goes to the mountain to pray and when He comes down to the shore the waves are strong and the ship in the middle of the sea. Jesus proceeds to walk on the water to them. When the disciples first saw Him, they thought he was a ghost! Before you are too hard on them, how many people have you seen walk on water? They were afraid until they heard Him speak. He told them not to fear, but to be of good cheer because it was Him. Our superhero sees this, hears Jesus’ voice, and wants to know if he can come to Him? Jesus tells him to come. Peter does something no other person besides Jesus has done. He walks on water!
Matthew 14:22-29 “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. 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. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”
Many read this account of Jesus and Peter and look at the negative side where Peter begins to sink. They fail to realize it took great faith to walk on the water for even a brief time. Peter had enough faith to believe he could, or he would not have gotten out of the boat. Yet, when the waves were crashing around him, he took his eyes off Jesus, and he started to sink. I’m afraid the modern-day Christian doesn’t have enough faith to step out of the boat. We do much in the name of Christ, but it is through our own strength. We plan, prepare, and execute, but, the only part Jesus has in our events is the use of His name. We may have a good time and read some scripture, but the power of God is not in the program. We have worked hard and informed many, but God is not glorified because we could do it without depending on God. Our faith was not engaged. Peter placed his faith in Jesus, obeyed, and stepped out of the boat and walked on water. He took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink, but he knew the source of his strength and life. He immediately cried out to Jesus to save him.
Matthew 14:30-31 “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
When was the last time your faith was strong enough to step out of the boat?
