Matthew 14:28-33
“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.”
In our walk with Jesus we experience many hills and valleys. At times our faith is bold. We regularly call out to God and ask him to guide us through the unknown, like Peter walking out onto the water. But sometimes we lose focus on Jesus and instead become fixated on our surroundings, and we begin to sink.
We have to remind ourselves that even in the midst of storms, even when we fail because our faith falters, Jesus never does. He is the same no matter the strength of our faith.
Many people read this passage and focus on the fact that Jesus reached out his hand to save Peter when he was starting to sink. This passage has been used to share the dangers of losing our focus on Jesus. While that angle is valid and valuable, what many people don't consider is the unwritten conversation that took place between verses 31 to 32.
We know what Jesus says to Peter initially. But it’s worth considering that even after Peter sank and was pulled back up, there was a conversation that took place between Jesus and Peter before they climbed back into the boat.
Not only did Jesus save Peter when he cried out for him, but Peter's faith in Jesus was restored as he and Jesus returned to the boat. Jesus took Peter’s moment of doubt to teach him and to remind him of the importance of fixing our eyes on our Savior.
It can be easy to look down on Peter for the times he fails throughout scripture, but for all his failures, Peter’s story and character are marked with boldness. Oftentimes, his boldness gets him into trouble, but in this story, we see his bold faith prompt him to walk alone on the open sea toward Jesus.
We do not see Peter hanging his head in shame, feeling like he was too far gone to call out for Jesus's help, and we do not see any shame hanging over his head as he walked with Jesus after failing. From this story, we see that Peter lived the truth that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. Even when our faith fails, we can cry out to Jesus to save us, and he will walk with us and teach us.
Maybe you are walking through a season of strong faith, and you are ready to call out to Jesus in boldness to walk out to him.
Maybe you are walking through a season where you're focused on your surrounding circumstances, and you can feel yourself sinking. Maybe you're allowing the shame you feel for failing to keep you from calling out to Jesus to restore your faith.
Regardless of where you find yourself, remember John 3:17 "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Jesus did not come to condemn but to save. Just as he saved Peter and taught Peter to fix his eyes on him, the perfector of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-3) As a practical way of working on the boldness of your faith, consider trying this 7-day set of journal and prayer prompts that will help you actively work through the truths in this passage:
Day 1 – Take a Bold Step of Faith
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Identify one thing you’ve been hesitating to do for God (sharing your testimony, volunteering, forgiving someone, giving generously, etc.) and take one small action toward it today.
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Journal how it felt to “step out of the boat.”
Day 2 – Redirect Your Focus from the Waves
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When a worry or stress rises today, pause and physically turn your head upward toward the sky to say a short prayer like, “Jesus, my eyes are on You.”
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Write down each “wave” you faced and how you responded.
Day 3 – Practice Calling Out to Jesus Immediately
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Choose one moment today when you feel anxious, frustrated, or discouraged, and stop right then to pray, “Lord, save me.”
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Note what shifted in your emotions afterward.
Day 4 – Release the Shame
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Write down a guilt or regret you’ve been carrying that’s causing you to sink or holding you back from walking with Jesus.
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Read and pray over Romans 8:1.
Day 5 – Walk Back with Jesus
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Take a literal walk (alone if possible) and imagine Jesus walking beside you.
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Thank Him for staying with you even after mistakes.
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End by reading Psalm 23 aloud.
Day 6 – Live Out John 3:17
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Send a message, make a call, or write a note to someone who might be feeling judged, ashamed, or even condemned.
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Encourage them with the truth that Jesus came to save, not condemn.
Day 7 – Share a Rescue Story
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Tell someone about a time when you were “sinking” and Jesus pulled you up. It could be in person, over text, or on social media.
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Write about how that moment deepened your faith.