Waver…

Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33, NRSVue)

This is an interesting passage as it has at least two words that are translated either interestingly or are one of only two instances in the New Testament.

The first of these words is made. “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat.” Jesus forced the disciples into the boat. This was not a suggestion or a mere offer for them to go. Jesus compelled them, forced them into the boat to go ahead of him.

And the other one is “Why did you doubt?” The word for doubt here is used only twice in all of the New Testament. The only other spot is in Matthew 28:17, “When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted.” Some of the translations, NRSV, included did not translate it as this for a very long time, because the disciples could not worship Jesus and doubt him, so the word some was added.

I will be honest and say my faith wavers all the time. I wonder about what I believe and just waver in my understanding of who I am and who I am in God.

And here is the comfort from the “bashing” of Peter: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” The little faith is not a cut down; it is a statement of truth. We have a little faith. We have just enough, and that enough should be able to keep us from wavering or doubting. Because Jesus called Peter out of the boat. And Peter was there walking on the water because his little faith was enough to do it. Until he realized what was happening, and he started to question and wonder.

Wonder in the awesomeness of God to allow us to do things we can not possibly imagine and live out your faith, and don’t waver in that faith. Trust in it.