Why Do You Doubt?

Matthew 14:22–33 NKJV

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Seems like an unreasonable question that Jesus asks in this passage. Considerinng that they were walking on water. But in light of the what happened earlier that day was it really an unreasonible question. Just a short few hours ago Jesus took 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread and feed at least 5000 people. Not only did he feed them he could have sent them home with leftovers.

How often do we forget the good things that God has done and begin to worry when things get a little scary? Peter did an amazing thing here he stepped out of the boat. That in itseldf was very bold.

Descirb how you might have felt, and then what might have happend..

Matthew 14:31 NKJV

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Did you hear that? As soon as Peter was introuble the guys in the boat did nothing but Jesus streched out His hand and caught him. Jesus caught him and Peter had to take the hand of his Saviour.

Let’s go back a couple more verses.

Matthew 14:29–30 NKJV

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

Peter starts off strong as many of us do. The stormy winds pick up and he becomes afraid some think he took his eyes off the Lord and Peter begins to become afraid.

Common problem we all face. We start well and then diffculty comes we allow our fear to focus on the situation and we begin to sink.

Matthew 14:30 NKJV

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

Lord save me!

Two things could have happened one Jesus could have turned away or Jesus could have done something.

But Jesus would reach down and save Peter. Jesus is ready to hear our cry for help. Did Peter doubt Jesus would help or did he doubt that he could do what Jesus asked Him to do?

I have been in this place. TImes where I doubt that I could do what Jesus called me and other times I think everything is turned upside down and I don’t think there could be any help.

Doubt though is doubt. Peter doubted, I have doubted, you have as well. But what are we to do.

Matthew 14:31 NKJV

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

We need to take the hand of the Saviour that is outsearched before us and let HIm guide us back to safety.

Hebrews 2:18 NKJV

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

When troubles come we are tempted to doubt Him as Jesus in the desert was tempted. He knows our struggles and is ready to catch us.

I want you to see one more thing in this passage this morning. it is in verse 32

Matthew 14:32 NKJV

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

I believe Jesus allowed the storm to buld Peter and the other disciples up in their faith. The situation was not as bad as they thought or at least how bad Peter thought.

This verse is an indication that Jesus was in complete control of the situation.

I am a firm believer that God in His wisdom will let us face challenges to help us grow deeper in our faith. It is just like this situation.

We are faced witha hard disision or difficult situation. We lose site of the Lord and we cry out for help. But when we get refocused on the Lord and take His hand and let him guide us we soon see He was always incontrol.

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

As a follower of Jesus we are asked to make diffcult decisions. That mean we must trust Jesus. It can seem impossible or even scary. It could be taking that step out into uncharted territory. Peter had never seen a person walk on water and certainly never did it himself.

We can learn from Peter’s encounter into the unknown that Jesus is there with us and has the situation under control.

How will you answer the question Jesus asked?

Why did you doubt?

one of thereasions the Bible was written was to provide a map to how to follow. Today you are given a great example in the life of Peter.

Why do you doubt?