Jesus Believes In Us

Given May 16, 2006
“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?” Matthew 14:28-31.

Who did Peter doubt here? It wasn’t Jesus, He was still standing on the water. I believe he doubted himself. He was a fisherman and had stepped in the water many times and knew what would happen.

But Jesus believed in Peter. Peter was the only one bold enough to step out of the boat. I can imagine Jesus saying to himself, “Come on, Peter. You can do it! That’s it, step on out!” And I can imagine Jesus’ joy when peter did step out…and was successful! “Atta boy! Keep coming, come to me, son.” But when he noticed the circumstances, that was it. Jesus might have said, “Oh man, you were doing it! Why did you doubt?”

What would Peter’s ministry have been like if he had not doubted? What would OUR ministry be like if we didn’t doubt? Oh but yes. We all have a ministry whether we know it or not. Jesus believes in us to do great and mighty things so why aren’t we doing them? Just like Peter, we lose faith and doubt.

The next time you have a chance to, “step out”, remember… Jesus is believing in you. Don’t pay attention to the “circumstances”, or the way it’s always been done, or what people will think. Jesus will be saying, “Come on, you can do it! I know you can!” You want to be promoted? Step out of the boat!