Stepping out of the boat with Peter

[ncjohn]

From a discussion this morning came an idea to give some thought to this passage, which is one of my favorites since I identify with this situation so much:

25
During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.
26
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
27
At once (Jesus) spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28
Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
29
He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
30
But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.

Try to put yourself in Peter’s place here. How do you feel when you are called to step out of the boat? What might be the “strong wind” that might distract you once you were out? What is the feeling when you are caught as you are sinking? Why do we doubt when we feel like we’ve been called to do something in faith?

What might have been the emotions that Jesus felt towards Peter’s initial response? Towards Peter’s “failure” to maintain his faith? Toward the other disciple’s responses?

What might those in the boat have been thinking as Peter was preparing to step out?

There are so many aspects to this story that I can spend great amounts of time with it and never seem to lose its “freshness”.

 

[Bennie_P]

From a discussion this morning came an idea to give some thought to this passage, which is one of my favorites since I identify with this situation so much:

25
During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.
26
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
27
At once (Jesus) spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28
Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
29
He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
30
But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.

Try to put yourself in Peter’s place here. How do you feel when you are called to step out of the boat? What might be the “strong wind” that might distract you once you were out? What is the feeling when you are caught as you are sinking? Why do we doubt when we feel like we’ve been called to do something in faith?

What might have been the emotions that Jesus felt towards Peter’s initial response? Towards Peter’s “failure” to maintain his faith? Toward the other disciple’s responses?

What might those in the boat have been thinking as Peter was preparing to step out?

There are so many aspects to this story that I can spend great amounts of time with it and never seem to lose its “freshness”.

This is one of my favorite passes in the Bible also, one thing I always related to was the idea of Jesus being there to rescue me when I falter, but I no longer see that faltering as failure, for if you notice Peter was the only one that had enough faith to get out of the boat and when he was in trouble who did he call upon? A good example for all of us to follow - Peter who became the rock showing us to put our trust in Jesus and even when we fail to do that Jesus is there reaching out for us.

 

[InLight247]

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36

Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray] .

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side. Did he foresee the storm? Sure he did. He was not with the disciples, but he went to pray. Would he pray for the disciples? Sure he would.

When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

Jesus did not stay far. He came to them when they were in the storm. Jesus will do the same for you and me if we call for his help.

But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”

When we are in fear, we forget Jesus is near. “Take heart, it is I, have no fear.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus;

This paragraph can involve many different discussions. Right now I am not discussing about stepping out of comfort zone, or undertaking a difficult task, etc. I am thinking about “total trust in Jesus”. Jesus’ invitation of total trust in Him is always there. Are we holding onto the boat of anxiety and worry, our negative thinking, or are we stepping out of fear, trusting Jesus and walking toward Him?

but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Yet fear of uncertainty is in our nature, even we want to completely trust and be worry free, we sometimes can’t. Therefore we sink into the troubled water. But, His saving hand will grab us if we let Him.

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Jesus brought the disciples into the storm, and he brought them out.

 

[ncjohn]

This is one of my favorite passes in the Bible also, one thing I always related to was the idea of Jesus being there to rescue me when I falter, but I no longer see that faltering as failure, for if you notice Peter was the only one that had enough faith to get out of the boat and when he was in trouble who did he call upon? A good example for all of us to follow - Peter who became the rock showing us to put our trust in Jesus and even when we fail to do that Jesus is there reaching out for us.

I agree with you Bennie, that Peter is the example of childlike faith. I had written this in another thread of mine about childlike faith, here forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=170019

ncjohn:

In many ways it occurs to me that Peter–who drew the sword to cut off the ear of one of those accosting Jesus–was incredibly childlike. Here we have a man who dropped everything and left everything to follow Jesus. A man who, when asked after Jesus explained the concept of the Eucharist in the “Bread of Life” discourse whether he too wanted to leave, responded “to where would we go? You have the words of eternal life.” The man who stepped out of the boat, ignoring what his head must have told him could not be done. And who then cried out in faith and trust to the one who could save him when he started to sink.

What do you think the other disciples might have been thinking as Peter was asking the question? Kind of snickering behind their hands and rolling their eyes? And feeling validated when he started to sink, up until the time when Jesus pulled him out?

 

[water]

Thanks for all great insights and I am trying to absorb them.

 

[Joysong]

What do you think the other disciples might have been thinking as Peter was asking the question? Kind of snickering behind their hands and rolling their eyes? And feeling validated when he started to sink, up until the time when Jesus pulled him out?

John, I guess I’m naive or something, but no. I don’t think the others did this, as I like to think they were aghast, more on the lines of “Wow, is HE for real? Walking on water!? Not for me!”

I’ve read somewhere that the invitation of Jesus to come to Him, was a ‘rayma’ exclusively for Peter, not the others. So not having the bid to come, they would not have the grace to do so and could likely be in the position of astonishment.

Thoughts?

Carole

 

[ncjohn]

John, I guess I’m naive or something, but no. I don’t think the others did this, as I like to think they were aghast, more on the lines of “Wow, is HE for real? Walking on water!? Not for me!”

I’ve read somewhere that the invitation of Jesus to come to Him, was a ‘rayma’ exclusively for Peter, not the others. So not having the bid to come, they would not have the grace to do so and could likely be in the position of astonishment.

Thoughts?

Carole

I just don’t know Carole. In trying to picture how I might react at the differrent times in this story, I come up with different scenarios.

Jesus appears: I’m as scared as they are indicated to b until he reassures them.

Peter steps up and challenges Jesus to have him too walk on the water: I can see them either waiting and wondering to see what’s going to happen, or snickering and saying “There goes Peter shooting off his mouth again!”

Peter steps out and actually walks: amazement!

And starts to sink: confusion, or maybe (not having had much time to absorb it all) thinking that either they had seen wrong or that some weird thing had allowed it temporarily, and then feeling affirmed in an initial thought that he would sink right from the beginning.

Peter being lifted up: awe, and reconsideration of that shortly held position as they realize what really just happened.

I know I’m very capable of suspending belief in what appears to be happening at times if it doesn’t fit into my preconceived “box”. Since this whole thing wouldn’t have taken more than a few seconds, the time to really process what was going on could have produced less than clear thought, especially given that the storm was still going on and would have provided some distraction.

Of course it would make just as much sense that they would just be sitting there watching to see what was going to happen, ready to believe, especially since they’d just seen some pretty heady stuff.

Peace,

 

[InLight247]

John, I guess I’m naive or something, but no. I don’t think the others did this, as I like to think they were aghast, more on the lines of “Wow, is HE for real? Walking on water!? Not for me!”

I’ve read somewhere that the invitation of Jesus to come to Him, was a ‘rayma’ exclusively for Peter, not the others. So not having the bid to come, they would not have the grace to do so and could likely be in the position of astonishment.

Thoughts?

Carole

In my earlier post above, the “logo” and “rhema” (not sure the spelling) was in my mind to discuss, but didn’t. I read in a book about this many years ago. A true story in Korea that some high school girls used this passage and tried to walk over a river, got drowned. Like you said, Jesus had conversation with Peter personally, it was a “rhema” for Peter. The other disciples were not supposed to walk on the water at that time.

Logo and Rhema could be an interesting discussion.

 

[TOP]

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side. Did he foresee the storm? Sure he did. He was not with the disciples, but he went to pray. Would he pray for the disciples? Sure he would.

Jesus did not stay far. He came to them when they were in the storm. Jesus will do the same for you and me if we call for his help.

When we are in fear, we forget Jesus is near. “Take heart, it is I, have no fear.”

This paragraph can involve many different discussions. Right now I am not discussing about stepping out of comfort zone, or undertaking a difficult task, etc. I am thinking about “total trust in Jesus”. Jesus’ invitation of total trust in Him is always there. Are we holding onto the boat of anxiety and worry, our negative thinking, or are we stepping out of fear, trusting Jesus and walking toward Him?

Yet fear of uncertainty is in our nature, even we want to completely trust and be worry free, we sometimes can’t. Therefore we sink into the troubled water. But, His saving hand will grab us if we let Him.

Jesus brought the disciples into the storm, and he brought them out.

If you all don’t mind dumbing it down a notch or two. In reading this, it struck me that the storm itself was part of the cleansing process and being overwhelmed with fear, their hearts were tested. Peter reached for the Lord as a heartfelt reaction without thought. I have been overwhelmed in fear and remembered the Lord, He was there for me in an instant. This reminds me of purgatory and what He will give as hope to sustain faith through it. Tim

 

[Joysong]

What is almost a bit amusing regarding human nature is that the apostles had already been through a terrible storm previously while Jesus was in the boat with them; yet they thought they were going to perish. They saw how Jesus calmed the storm after He chided them for their lack of faith. (Mt. 8:24)

Here they were in another storm, with renewed fears, forgetting about the previous incident completely where Jesus was in control. :doh2:

Being human, I doubt that any of us would act any differently. One experience of God’s saving grace is not always enough to carry us forward in new situations. I believe faith and trust grows through many such experiences and becomes stronger over time.

 

[Joysong]

In Light,

Yes, I would like to read the thoughts of others regarding the “logo and rhema.” Are you game to begin a thread? I don’t know how to spell it either.

 

[ncjohn]

I agree totally Carole. Remember it was the same Peter who denied Jesus 3 times, even after being told before hand that he would do so and promising that he would not.

Today’s Word Among Us meditation deals with this quite nicely, I thought:

We should all be able to identify with Peter’s split personality. After all, we have the same kind of conflict within ourselves. We may know the truth about who God is and how we should live, but our words and actions don’t always correspond to it—not to mention our fundamental philosophy of life! The good news is that like Peter, we too are on a learning curve. If we keep trying to live by his inspiration, the Holy Spirit can gradually transform us. If we make it a practice to examine our consciences and repent of our sins, we will find ourselves more apt to fight temptation—and we will grow closer to the Lord.

 

[InLight247]

In Light,

Yes, I would like to read the thoughts of others regarding the “logo and rhema.” Are you game to begin a thread? I don’t know how to spell it either.

I may, but I have to find out some info before I can.
Anyone who wants to start such a thread before I can get to it is welcome.

 

[pprimeau1976]

Here is what I don’t understand:

Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.

Couldn’t Peter have chosen a better test to verify whether it was really the Lord or not? I guess Peter, walking out on the water would be the giveaway that it is really the Lord.

But who would even attempt to walk out of the boat?

If I had a vision of the Lord, would all Jesus need to do is say “Come” in order for me to be absolutley conviced that I wasn’t hallucinating?

 

[anon49823460]

Nice thread/thoughts ncjohn,

Another thought to throw in.

Peter was OK as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus as soon as he turned away he starting sinking. A lot like us

 

[InLight247]

To all my online CAF friends:

I beg for your prayer support. I just received a phone call and did the last minute flight booking, heading to southern California.
My mother in ICU is in critical condition. I don’t feel that well physically. I hope to make in time.

I need all the prayer support from you, my friends.
I won’t be back online for at least several days.

This is a spiritual and physical test for me.
I need Lord’s mercy so badly.

God bless!

 

[ncjohn]

To all my online CAF friends:

I beg for your prayer support. I just received a phone call and did the last minute flight booking, heading to southern California.
My mother in ICU is in critical condition. I don’t feel that well physically. I hope to make in time.

I need all the prayer support from you, my friends.
I won’t be back online for at least several days.

This is a spiritual and physical test for me.
I need Lord’s mercy so badly.

God bless!

Peace be with you, and with your mother, InLight. May God hold each of you in the palm of His hand.

 

[ncjohn]

If I had a vision of the Lord, would all Jesus need to do is say “Come” in order for me to be absolutley conviced that I wasn’t hallucinating?

That’s where we get into that whole concept of head knowledge vs. childlike faith.

I totally agree that the overwhelming majority of us have been educated that such an occurrence is an impossibility and thus our first reaction would be that we were hallucinating. And in truth, often when we feel called to do something that seems out of our comfort zone, that is exactly the approach we take. “God wouldn’t be asking me to do that” and we stay in the boat.

That’s also why I tend to think that the other disciples were likely considering Peter to be somewhat lacking in common sense to even take that first step out, unless they truly recognized that it really was Jesus, which the account would seem to indicate was in doubt, thus the “if it’s really you…”

I think that in the end it is only through bringing ourselves back to the childlike trust, sitting quietly and patiently at the feet of Jesus and allowing ourselves to step out, even when all seems to scream otherwise, that we start to achieve the kind of surrender we’re ultimately being called to.

Peace,