Chris Foote

Unbelief Chris Foote

I don't know about you, but I have to take some comfort in the story of Peter's going down into the water. Please don't think me unkind! But how worthless would I feel with my level of unbelief if he had no doubt in him whatsoever as he ventured onto the waters? How low would my head sink, thinking of my unbelief, if he kept the faith and did cartwheels on top of the water? He might've even started to Riverdance all over the sea! But he didn't. He was human, just like you and me. I mean, he was a disciple who saw the miracles firsthand. He journeyed with Jesus and witnessed the paralyzed walk, the blind see, and the mute speak.

And now, he actually sees Jesus walking on the water! What else does he need to see? Nothing. After all this, Peter has the faith to volunteer to step out of the boat and onto the water with Jesus. Wow! How amazing is that? That is beyond courageous in my book. I wonder if he waited with bated breath for Jesus to agree to his request. I wonder if he stepped out of the boat with fear and trepidation, waiting for something firm below his feet or if he pushed his brother Andrew and Bartholomew out of the way to leap onto the waves. Regardless, it didn't take long before the soggy platform started to diminish. And the passage says all he saw was the wind, and down he went. But there Jesus was, with a helping hand to save him and to ask him why he doubted. It's as if Jesus was asking, "Ain't you seen enough of me to trust me? What else do you want from me before you believe?" And I think He has said that to us many times too.