Matthew 14:26-31

²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they screamed in fear.

²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

²⁸ And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and as he started to sink he began screaming, “Lord, rescue me.”

³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “Little faithed one, why did you doubt?”

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great fear and little faith

One would think that the disciples – having seen major miracles, and even participated in them, they should have great faith by now. But, no – their fear was still much larger than their faith. They saw Jesus coming, and they screamed in fear, thinking him a phantasm – a ghost. But faith in Christ is not grown by simply experiencing miracles. Many today are holding out for just one more proof. Like Peter here, they ask the Lord to invite them onto the water. Just one more miracle, Lord, and I will trust you. The trouble with just one more miracle is that there will always be one more raging sea. Peter was in the middle of his “just one more miracle” when he began to fear again. Great fear always trumps little faith. All it takes is an unexpected sight, or a disturbing wind to set it off.

LORD, like Peter, we need you to rescue us again. We need you to rescue us from our doubts as much as the engulfing waters. We are asking for one more miracle – the one that only you can perform – inside of us.