Most of you have heard the saying “like a deer in headlights”. It implies being frozen in fear or panic that one cannot move or even think, just like a deer that stands in the middle of the road when the headlights of a car come. The poor deer is so surprised, bewildered, and struck with fear that he doesn’t move, despite the danger of the oncoming car. Sometimes we have experiences like that. Some situations hit us suddenly, and we panic. We don’t think properly or do anything rational to get through the trouble. In our Gospel passage today we read about Peter and his “deer in the headlights” experience, and how ultimately he did the best thing to help his situation.
After Jesus had fed the multitudes, He sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee in a boat while He went up the hills to be alone and pray. However, a storm came up while the disciples were crossing, and they were in danger. Even though Jesus was not nearby, He knew what was happening, and came to their aid, walking on the water (vs. 25-26). At first the disciples feared, thinking it was some type of ghost or spirit. What else could it be, as no one can walk on water! However, Jesus called out to them, telling them to be of good cheer, it was Him (vs. 27). The worst of storms cannot stop Jesus from coming to offer us help and hope. Because of Jesus, we can be of good cheer. Even when we do not see Him, we can take courage.
When the disciples realized it was Jesus, they knew they were not helpless or alone anymore. They realized that Jesus’ presence could not be driven away by the storm. Peter, inside the boat, wanted reassurance it was really Jesus, and asked that if it really was Him, could he come out and walk on the water, just as He was. Jesus told him to come on out (vs. 28-29). Peter found the courage and boldness to obey Jesus, and stepped out of the boat. He had faith that Jesus could keep him up above the water.
Peter was the only one in the boat to respond to Jesus with faith. However, he started to sink when he took his eyes off of Jesus and instead focused on the storm and waves (vs. 30). His faith wavered when he realized what he was doing. When Peter saw the large, towering waves crashing all around him, and realized he was standing outside the safety of the boat, he panicked, and started to sink. He doubted the Lord’s ability to keep him up upon the water. There is a difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt wonders if it could be. Unbelief says that it is not. Peter doubted when he took his eyes off of Jesus. When he saw the waves and felt the wind, fear set in.
Peter did the best thing at that moment, though. He cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Short prayers are just as valid as long ones. Peter cried out only 3 short words to Jesus, but they were sufficient. Sometimes all we can do is cry one word, “Help!” Jesus heard Peter and helped. We need to lift our soul to Jesus. He will not allow us to perish. We can do nothing, but He can do everything. If we focus on the waves of our circumstances, without looking to Jesus for help, we will despair and sink. The best thing to do is always keep looking to Him. When fear has us frozen in our tracks, call on Jesus. Trust in the Lord. He hears our prayers and will help us. Never take our eyes off of Jesus. He is always with us, doing what is best for us.
Though the disciples had witnessed numerous healings, feeding of the multitudes, and raising a young girl from the dead, they still allowed fear to come into their hearts. We do the same. When adversity comes, we forget our knowledge of God. Instead, we need to maintain our focus on the Lord by keeping our mind in the Word of God. We cannot trust our sight, reason, or knowledge to steer us through the storms. We can depend on Scripture. The Lord will work on our behalf.
Fear and faith cannot go together. Fear and faith cannot live at the same time. When we begin to fear, we are forgetting our faith, and we start to sink in our trials. When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Jesus. When he was afraid, he looked to Jesus, the only one who could help. Step out of the boat in faith, and follow Jesus, even when the waves are crashing.
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