There is a beautiful sculpture in the compound of St. Peter’s church (Malacca) that depicts the scene of Matthew 14:29. I walked in the pool of water and managed to stay upright because the water is only 6 inches deep.
In the biblical account, Peter and his fellow disciples were in a boat in a lake far away from shore. It was pitch-dark and the water was choppy because of strong wind. They were struggling to control the boat and very tired from their effort. On top of their troubles, they were terrified when a ghostly figure “floating” on water approached the boat.
In their struggle and fear, Peter’s reaction would have caused them to flip the boat! What was he thinking? Attempting to walk on water? It is simply impossible! Perhaps he had been frightened out of his wits! But asked he did. And when Jesus said “come”, he boldly put his faith to the test and walked on water!
His infamous and supernatural deed lasted as long as his focus on Jesus was steadfast. Unfortunately, his focus shifted, he faltered and needed to be rescued by Jesus when he sank, as is only natural.
Reading this account, I imagined that Peter could have accomplished the impossible — a feat that would surpass in significance, the famed walk on the moon by Neil Armstrong. But like Peter, we so often forfeit the opportunity of doing the “impossible” through God when we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the (natural) circumstance and we lose focus on the (supernatural) sovereignty of our Lord.
With the benefits of hindsight and historical fact, if it happens to you today and Jesus invites you to come, would you boldly do better than Peter? If not, why do you still doubt that our God is the All Powerful Omnipotent God? How would you answer if the Lord ask you “You of little faith, why do you doubt, when will you trust me fully and unreservedly?”
If you would come to Jesus without reservation and trust Him fully, I praise God for your faith. You did well indeed!
Having put your trust fully and wholly upon Jesus, the same God also invites you to “Go” with the assurance that He “will surely be with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Therefore without reservation, would you then go as instructed to carry out his Great Commission?
By Shi Pau Soon, Elder (YCKC Bulletin 3&4 March 2018)