Why Did You Doubt?

It was not a rhetorical question.

Matthew 14:23-31

[23] After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

[24] but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

[25] During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

[26] When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

[27] But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

[28] "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

[29] "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

[30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

[31] Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

So... why DID he doubt?

Was it the wind?

Was it the waves?

Was it fear?

If so, what was he afraid of?

He was walking on the water! He WAS!

Consider the absurdity of that. How is it even remotely possible that a man or even a small stone can sit on top of a liquid like water and though it is heavier, pulled by gravity, and in no way capable of floating, let alone be bouncing happily on top of the substance?

Oh, and there were waves!

If the ground was moving in waves, how well would you be able to walk on it?

Yet, he did... until he sank.

Why did he sink? Popular teachers will tell you his doubt somehow interfered with God's power.

Biblically, that is absurd!

Nothing can interfere with God and what He is doing... unless He wants it to seem that way.

"?"

Consider the cross. Did the Jews stop Jesus by killing Him? Did the Romans alter God's plan by ending His life?

No

That was His plan.

Nothing and no one can interfere with God's purpose and plan.

What was holding Peter up on the water? His faith?

No

It was and always will be God.

He made the water.

He made gravity.

He made Peter.

He gave Peter faith.

"So, why did he sink???"

Because God wanted him to. Because God made the circumstance to reveal truth. A truth that we should all cling to...

Faith is trust in Him. Faith grows as we KNOW Him.

Later, after Peter's faith in Jesus grew, as He got to know Him more intimately, more deeply, he KNEW Jesus would accept Him.

He denied Jesus before men!

Matthew 20:32-33

[32] "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

[33] But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Jesus said this before Peter sank in the waves. Long before he denied Jesus.

I have said this before... Peter did not know after Jesus was taken that Judas was the betrayer.

Let that sink in.

Matthew 26:21

[21] And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."

Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him... after He said this!

Can you imagine the struggle... with Satan looking to "sift" Peter.

"YOU ARE THE BETRAYER!"

"Didn't HE say that you are doomed to destruction?!"

YOU DENIED HIM!!!!"

Three days.

Three agonizing days, being "sifted"

Peter, when Jesus appeared, jumped in the water and swam to Him.

He knew.

He knew Jesus would forgive him.

He knew Jesus would accept him.

Why?

Because, what he missed on the water, he now had... real faith in Jesus, because he knew who, and how, He IS.

On the water, he didn't know Jesus. THAT was why he doubted.