Peter walked on water because his faith was genuine and focused on Jesus. Yet he began to sink when he took his eyes off the Lord and allowed fear to override faith. His experience illustrates that even strong believers can falter when they shift their focus from Christ to their circumstances.
“Then Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”
(Matthew 14:28–29)
Peter’s faith was real, he stepped out of the boat and walked on water. His trust in Jesus invited Him into the miraculous.
“But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’”
(Matthew 14:30)
As he focused on the storm instead of his Savior, doubt crept in. His courage faltered and he began to drown.
In that moment, Jesus reached out:
“And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
(Matthew 14:31)
Peter’s sinking wasn’t due to lack of faith, but because his faith wavered under pressure. The lesson is clear: walking with Christ allows us to do the impossible, but keeping our eyes on Him is essential. Peter’s cry for rescue reminds us that Jesus is always ready to save, even when our faith falters.
