Fear and doubt are universal human experiences and can be triggered by a range of factors, often interrelated.
Some of the most common include:
1. **Uncertainty**: Fear and doubt often arise in situations of uncertainty, where outcomes are unknown. This could include uncertainty about health, employment, relationships, or the future more generally.
2. **Past Experiences**: Negative past experiences or traumas can trigger fear and doubt in current and future situations. For instance, if someone has been hurt in past relationships, they may fear commitment or doubt the intentions of others in new relationships.
3. **Lack of Self-confidence**: Low self-esteem or lack of confidence in one’s abilities can also lead to fear and doubt. For example, someone who doubts their skills might fear taking on new tasks or responsibilities.
4. **Change**: Fear and doubt are often triggered by change. This could be a change in personal circumstances, such as a new job, moving house, or the end of a relationship, or wider societal changes.
5. **Lack of Control**: Situations that are beyond our control often induce fear and doubt. We may fear the potential consequences and doubt our ability to cope with them.
6. **Comparison with Others**: In our interconnected society, it’s easy to compare our lives with others, especially on social media. This comparison can breed doubt about our own achievements and fear about our perceived inadequacies.
7. **Worrying about what others think**: Fear of judgement or rejection can cause us to doubt ourselves and our decisions. This is often related to a desire to conform or fit in.
8. **Negative Thought Patterns**: Certain patterns of thinking, such as catastrophizing (imagining the worst possible outcome), can fuel fear and doubt.
9. **Perceived Threats**: Perceived threats to our physical safety, financial security, or emotional wellbeing are common triggers of fear and doubt.
Matthew 14 opens with the death of John the Baptist, who was beheaded by King Herod Antipas (verses 1-12). Upon hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place, likely to mourn and seek solitude. However, large crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus saw the large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick (verses 13-14).
This leads into the account of the feeding of the five thousand (verses 15-21), which is one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles. In this story, Jesus miraculously feeds a crowd of more than five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and power but also foreshadows the Last Supper and the spiritual nourishment provided through Christ.
Following the feeding of the five thousand is when the events in Matthew 14:22-33 take place, where Jesus walks on water and invites Peter to do the same.
So, before the account of Jesus walking on water, there were significant events that set the stage: the shocking news of John the Baptist’s execution, a time of healing and compassion for the crowd, and the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. These events underscored Jesus’ power and compassion, providing important context for Peter and the other disciples as they witnessed Jesus walking on the water.
The Message
Matthew 14:22-33 NIV Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Peter’s experiences with doubt and fear highlight his humanity and the transformative power of God’s grace.
Peter Walking on Water (Matthew 14:22-33):In this account, the disciples are on a boat in the middle of the sea when they see Jesus walking on water. At first, they think they are seeing a ghost, but Jesus reassures them. Peter, wanting to confirm if it was really Jesus, asks if he could walk towards him on the water. Jesus invites him to come. Peter steps out of the boat and starts walking on the water towards Jesus. However, when he notices the strong wind, he becomes afraid and begins to sink. He cries out to Jesus to save him, which Jesus immediately does and admonishes him for his doubt. This account underscores the human tendency to doubt even in the midst of the miraculous. Peter’s fear overpowers his initial faith, causing him to sink.
Matthew 26:69-75 NIV Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
2. **Peter’s Denial (Matthew 26:69-75):** After ‘ arrest, Peter finds himself in the courtyard of the high priest. There, several people recognize him as a follower of Jesus. Afraid of the possible repercussions, Peter denies knowing Jesus, not just once, but three times. After the third denial, a rooster crows, and Peter remembers Jesus’ prophecy that he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter’s fear leads him to act in a way that contradicts his deep devotion to Jesus, highlighting the power of fear to influence our actions.
John 21:15-19 NIV When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Despite these instances of fear and doubt, Peter’s story does not end there. After Jesus’ resurrection, He reinstates Peter (John 21:15-19), showing forgiveness and renewing Peter’s calling. Peter goes on to become a cornerstone of the early Christian Church, his life demonstrating that fear and doubt can be overcome by faith and the transformative power of God’s grace.
Peter’s struggle with fear and doubt, as presented in the New Testament, is multi-faceted and provides valuable insight into the human condition and the nature of faith.
1. **Uncertainty and Lack of Understanding**: Peter, like all humans, had a limited understanding of the future and the full nature of Jesus’ mission. This was especially true when Jesus foretold His death and resurrection. Peter’s fear and doubt often sprang from this uncertainty and confusion (Matthew 16:22).
2. **Perceived Threats and Fear for Physical Safety**: Peter’s denial of Jesus happened in a context of fear for his own safety. Jesus had just been arrested, and identifying as His follower could have led to similar treatment. The instinct for self-preservation can trigger fear and doubt in our convictions (Matthew 26:69-75).
3. **Lack of Faith**: Peter’s attempt to walk on water showed both his faith and its limitations. He had enough faith to step out of the boat, but when he saw the wind and the waves, his faith wavered, and fear took over (Matthew 14:29-30).
4. **Personal Weakness and Human Frailty**: Like all of us, Peter had personal weaknesses. Despite his usually strong and impulsive character, he still had moments of weakness where fear and doubt overpowered him.
5. **Fear of Failure**: Peter did not want to let Jesus down. When he did – such as when he failed to stay awake at Gethsemane or when he denied Jesus – he was distraught. This fear of failure might have contributed to his general fear and doubt (Matthew 26:40, 75).
Remember that despite Peter’s struggles with fear and doubt, his story is ultimately one of faith, redemption, and leadership. After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter became one of the most influential leaders in the early church, showing that fear and doubt do not disqualify us from serving God or others. Rather, they are often part of our spiritual journey and growth.