Why Did Peter Want to Walk on Water?
Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Matthew 22:28-29
Why did Peter have the desire to walk on water? Scripture doesn’t tell us what motivated Peter to walk on water, but I have always wondered why. There are lessons we can learn from this incident, about trusting the Lord and about Peter.
Peter was the type of person who quickly spoke what he was thinking and feeling, and this could be part of the reason he stepped out of the boat. It’s interesting that before he stepped out of the boat, he first asked Jesus, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ‘Come he said.’” Peter now had a command from Jesus and his faith assured him that Jesus would enable him to fulfill the command, so he got out of the boat and walked on the water. This showed Peter that Jesus was faithful: If Jesus said “come,” Jesus would enable him to walk on the water to come to him.
The first lesson in this story is to trust the Lord when he gives us a command, even if it seems as frightening as walking on turbulent water. Peter had the courage to step out of the boat because he trusted Jesus. Just as Peter trusted Jesus to do the impossible, we can also trust Jesus to do the impossible in our lives. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 13:30). When Peter felt the wind and the waves he began to be fearful, and fear can pull us away from the Lord and into depending on ourselves instead of God. This fear pulled him away from trusting Jesus. It’s amazing how our faith enables miracles from God in our lives, trusting God without doubt, but Peter’s fear put doubt in his mind and he begin to sink.
The story of Peter walking on water is about having the courage to step out and obey the Lord, knowing that he will carry us through and will help us to overcome any fear that Satan puts in our path. This shows our faith in the Lord and tells the Lord we know him. The more we step out and trust the Lord, the more our faith will increase.
Today remember the story of Peter walking on water; let it destroy any fear from Satan and let it remind you to trust the Lord. Live today in the love and power of the Lord. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20). The Lord worked his power in Peter and he will work his power in you.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to live in your power and to always trust you. Take away any doubt that comes from fear and help me to remember that all things are possible for you. Let me walk today fully depending on you as your Holy Spirit guides me. In Jesus name, Amen