Peter participates—will we?

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Matthew 14:28-33 NLT

I confess I do like the phrase “Jesus is perfect theology”. It seems not everyone on the internet does. But, taking it without the baggage, I see Jesus as the perfect revelation of the Father. As Jesus said to his first friend named Philip, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (John 14:9)

As ‘perfect’ theology, Jesus is not only accurate, but he is also immersive. As the perfect teacher, and the perfect subject. He is engaging, transformative, and valuable. So valuable in fact, that he brings life, and life eternal (cf. John 1:1-3; 3:16; 14:6 etc)

And here in this most remarkable of apprenticeships, Jesus crafts a perfect lesson. Not only does he bring the goodness of God to the disciples (cf. Exodus 33; 1 Kings 19 — see previous post), he invites participation.

Oh no we say, impulsive Peter is at it again! He wants a piece of the action. Shooting from his mouth, writing cheques his person cannot pay… Or is he? It is true Jesus did not coerce this response. In fact, even though Peter invited Jesus to ‘command’ him, it looks more like an invitation (vs 28-29)—an invitation to participate at two levels: join the action and share the motivation.

Join the action: Imagine Peter gingerly lowering himself backwards over the side of the boat. His feet touch the waves. But they are firm. He turns around. He sees Jesus. He make his way towards him. Eyes fixed…until they weren’t! Then he sees the waves. Then he panics. Then he sinks! What am I doing might have been his sanitised though. More likely ‘Oh sugar’ or similar! But then, from above, Jesus reaches down to lift him up. He raises him to the surface. Back onto solid….well, water! And then back into the boat.

Share the motivation: Why did Peter get out the boat? I do not believe it was for his glory. Was this not a Spirit-led manifestation of the nascent faith growing inside Peter’s heart? He saw his rabbi, and wanted to join him. Not only in experience, but also in faith. Was it Peter’s own faith? Or was it the faith of Jesus he was sharing? I believe it is the latter. He participated in the faith Jesus has in his Father.

Surely the invitation is there for us today as well. Join in what Jesus is doing. Get out the boat. Get stuck into the storm and darkness, where is already is. And do it in his strength. Do it in his power. Do it through HIS FAITH. Let us join with the Apostle Paul in Galatians 2:20, and live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for us.

But, what does it mean to get out the boat? Stick with us for the next post!