Nov. 23 2025

Frankie

Biblical Figures / Peter / Matthew 14:22–36

Matthew 14:28-33: Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ Call

1. I love having meaningful conversations with my daughter. Last Wednesday, while I was driving her to school, I asked her about the difference between believing and doubting. She gave a very insightful answer: she said that both come down to our will. She explained that we decide to believe, whether we can see the proof or not. In the same way, we decide to doubt, regardless of the facts. She highlighted two key concepts: our sight and our will. We often misunderstand faith. We think we need to understand everything before we can believe. However, the Bible clearly tells us the opposite. Faith is about seeing with our spiritual eyes, deciding to believe, and accepting the truth first. Understanding follows faith. Today, we will look at a person who experienced both great faith and deep doubt right in front of Jesus. Through his story, we will explore how we can stay steady on our faith journey in Christ. Let us read Matthew 14:22-33.

Matthew 14:22–25 ESV

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

Matthew 14:26–29 ESV

But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

Matthew 14:30–33 ESV

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

2.1 Before we focus on Peter, it is helpful to understand the context of Matthew chapter 14. This chapter unfolds in three powerful scenes. First, we see the Shadow of the World (verses 1–12). The chapter begins with a dark flashback. King Herod is haunted by a guilty conscience; he fears Jesus is actually John the Baptist risen from the dead. We are reminded of how John was imprisoned for speaking the truth against Herod’s sin. Sadly, due to a foolish promise and a fear of losing face in front of his guests, Herod had John executed.

2.2 Second, we see the Bread of Life (verses 13–21). When Jesus hears the news of John’s death, He seeks solitude to grieve. But the crowds follow Him. Instead of being annoyed, Jesus is moved with deep compassion. He heals their sick and commands His disciples, "You give them something to eat." With only five loaves and two fish, He blesses the food and feeds thousands, showing He is the provider of life.

2.3 Third, we meet the Lord of the Storm (verses 22–33). Finally, Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while He stays behind to pray. In the darkest hours of the morning, between 3:00 and 6:00 AM, a storm hits. Jesus walks out on the water to them. The disciples are terrified, thinking He is a ghost, but He comforts them, saying, "Take heart; it is I." This leads us to our main story today: Peter’s bold step of faith, his sink into doubt, and the Savior’s hand that caught him.

3.1 There are several ways to interpret and understand the Bible. One approach is reading with a literal sense, which means we accept each verse exactly as God's command and literal word. In this case, we do not need to over-analyze it; instead, we simply accept it. Another method is dynamic translation, which moves us from the literal to the symbolic. For example, we do not keep and follow the practice of animal sacrifice today, but we focus on its symbolic meaning.

3.2 Similarly, regarding God's temple, we do not focus on building a physical structure following the Old Testament blueprints, but rather we recall its symbolic significance. To be honest, the Bible is often best understood through this dynamic lens because we cannot apply every part in a purely literal way. However, when we read certain parts, we do still focus on the literal text. With this in mind, let us approach today's passage with this dynamic perspective.

4.1 Let us look at today's passage. In a literal sense, the disciples were in the midst of a storm on the sea. In this terrifying atmosphere, they saw someone coming toward them. Peter speaks up in verse 28. Then, verse 29 shows us the result: 'so Peter got out of the boat.' This is the turning point. There were twelve disciples in that boat, and all of them were terrified. But only one decided that being on the stormy water with Jesus was safer than being in the boat without Him.

4.2 This is where we apply the dynamic approach. We do not need to physically experience the exact same situation the disciples faced. Instead, we look for the symbols and deeper meanings within this passage. As we said, the boat represents our 'manageable life'—our logic, our control, and our comfort zones. But faith requires the 'will' to step over the edge. Peter did not walk on water because he had a superpower; he walked because he refused to stay in the boat when Jesus was calling. Faith is not just believing Jesus is there; it is moving toward Him.

Hebrews 11:8 NLT

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 

5.1 Therefore, Peter's faith did not come from a perfect understanding of Jesus. Rather, when he recognized Jesus' voice, he was able to respond to the call. This is the kind of faith we should have. Sometimes, we focus too much on our own knowledge and understanding. We become too rigid in adhering to the literal sense. But God wants us to reflect on His Word and find its true application, for He does not desire for us to be rigid people.

Deuteronomy 6:4–6 NASB 2020

“Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 

Acts 17:11 NIV

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 

5.2 This scripture, Acts 17:11, serves as a fitting example of how we should approach the Bible and the message of God. Just as the Berean Jews examined the Scriptures, we too can explore the Word with the help of the Holy Spirit.However, we must be careful. If we get stuck in a purely literal mindset, we may become quick to judge rather than to love. We become quick to divide 'our side' from 'the other side.' Therefore, let us always remember the true purpose of why God has given us His Word and teachings.

6.1 Now, let us look at the other side of Peter’s reaction. In today's passage, as Peter began to sink, Jesus asked him, 'Why did you doubt?'

Matthew 14:30–31 NRSV

But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

6.2 To be honest, when I read this story when I was young, I actually envied Peter. I envied him because he did not sink completely right away. You see, I do not swim well. If I am in the water, I do not simply 'begin' to sink—I sink immediately! For me, there is no 'gradual sinking' phase like Peter had. I just drop. So, in my eyes, even the fact that Peter sank slowly shows that he was quite blessed! 

6.2 We need to notice exactly when Peter began to sink. It happened the moment he started looking at his situation and circumstances. When he fixed his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk on the sea. But he failed the moment he looked away at the storm around him. This teaches us a vital lesson: As long as we look at Jesus, we can do the impossible. But when we focus on our own reality, fear takes over.

6.3 Here is an interesting fact: The storm did not suddenly get worse when Peter started to sink. The waves were high when he stepped out of the boat, and they were exactly the same when he began to sink. The external reality had not changed at all. What changed was Peter’s internal focus. When he looked at Jesus, the reality of the Kingdom of God overruled the laws of nature. But when he looked at the wind, the logic of the world came rushing back. His mind calculated: 'Men cannot walk on water. This is impossible.' Therefore, doubt is not merely an emotion; it is the act of letting the logic of the world override the promise of Jesus. Sinking happens when we give more weight to our terrifying reality than to our saving Lord.

7.1  When I first started my ministry in Pelly, my friends in Toronto contacted me. They were curious about how I could survive there without a Korean community or even a Korean grocery store. Since they were having trouble finding ministry positions after graduation, I shared my experience and encouraged them to come here to Saskatchewan. At first, they were very interested. However, once they started researching where Saskatchewan actually is, they stopped contacting me. They were afraid of living here. They were scared of the reality of leaving the city. They did not want to leap over the wall of their comfort zone.

7.2 Sadly, they failed to find ministry positions in Toronto and eventually moved back to South Korea. Recently, I contacted one of these friends. Despite having a PhD, he still has not found a full-time ministry position and is working only as a part-time lecturer. While preparing this sermon, this story reminded me of the choice between faith and doubt. Just like my friends, we have a choice.

7.3 As Peter focused on Jesus and His calling, if we choose Jesus, we can keep our faith and experience His work in us. However, when we look at our situation—like checking the map or worrying about groceries—we will doubt, just as Peter did."

Matthew 14:31–32 ESV

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 

8 Conclusion

8.1Today, we looked at Peter. He was the only one who walked on water, and he was also the one who sank. But notice how the story ends. It does not end with Peter drowning in the dark sea. It ends with Jesus’ hand grabbing him. Verse 31 says, "Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him." Even when our faith falters, even when the logic of the world overwhelms us and we begin to sink, His grace is faster than our failure. The moment Peter cried out, "Lord, save me," the hand of Jesus was already there.

8.2 We all have a "boat" in our lives. For my friends in Toronto, the boat was the familiar city and the fear of the unknown in Saskatchewan. For us, the boat might be our financial security, our health worries, our pride, or our own logic that says, "This is impossible." Staying in the boat feels safe. It is dry, it is comfortable, and it makes sense. But remember this: If we never step out of the boat, we will never walk on water with Jesus. we will never experience the thrill of His power holding us up when everything else says we should fall.

8.3So, I want to bring us back to the conversation I had with my daughter. Faith is a matter of will. It is a decision. The storm may be loud today. The waves of our reality may look terrifying. But Jesus is standing in the middle of that storm, extending His hand and saying, "Come." Do not let your logic limit God’s power. Do not let the wind dictate your direction. Let us choose to use our "will" to look away from the waves and fix our eyes on Jesus. When we do that, even the stormy sea becomes a pathway to Him.

Podcast: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/f4e9faf0-abfd-4772-b06c-34c0b37d7a42?artifactId=4d1865b1-6371-474e-8ecd-5e3a00a3fd2a

Video Overview: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/f4e9faf0-abfd-4772-b06c-34c0b37d7a42?artifactId=70b941e7-1de3-467c-aaa6-cd0dac0846da

Short-Answer Quiz

Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each, based on the provided source material.

1. According to the author's conversation with his daughter, what is the fundamental difference between believing and doubting?

2. The sermon divides Matthew chapter 14 into three distinct scenes. What are these three scenes and what do they represent?

3. Explain the two different approaches to interpreting the Bible mentioned in the text: the "literal sense" and the "dynamic translation."

4. Using the dynamic approach, what does the "boat" symbolize in the story of the disciples on the sea?

5. What distinguished Peter from the other eleven disciples in the boat during the storm?

6. At what exact moment did Peter begin to sink, and what caused this to happen?

7. When Peter started to sink, what had changed and what had remained the same in his environment?

8. According to the text, what lesson can be learned from the Berean Jews as described in Acts 17:11?

9. How does the author's personal story about his friends in Toronto illustrate the choice between faith and doubt?

10. What is the ultimate conclusion of Peter's story in the water, and what does it reveal about Jesus's character?

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Answer Key

1. The fundamental difference between believing and doubting comes down to human will. Both are decisions; a person decides to believe regardless of visible proof, and in the same way, a person decides to doubt regardless of the facts.

2. The three scenes in Matthew 14 are: The Shadow of the World (Herod's guilt and the execution of John the Baptist), The Bread of Life (Jesus feeding thousands with five loaves and two fish), and The Lord of the Storm (Jesus walking on water).

3. The literal sense is an approach that accepts each verse exactly as God's literal word and command without over-analysis. In contrast, dynamic translation moves from the literal to the symbolic, focusing on the deeper meaning and application of a passage.

4. The "boat" symbolizes a person's "manageable life." It represents our logic, our sense of control, and the comfort zones we create for ourselves.

5. Peter was the only disciple who decided that being on the stormy water with Jesus was safer than being in the boat without Him. While all the disciples were terrified, only Peter acted on his faith by asking Jesus to call him out onto the water.

6. Peter began to sink the moment he took his eyes off Jesus and started looking at his situation and circumstances. He noticed the strong wind, became frightened, and allowed the logic of the world to take over.

7. When Peter began to sink, his internal focus had changed from Jesus to the storm. The external reality—the strength of the wind and the height of the waves—had not changed at all from the moment he first stepped out of the boat.

8. The Berean Jews serve as an example of how to approach God's message. They received the word with great eagerness and then examined the Scriptures every day to verify its truth, demonstrating a noble and diligent character.

9. The friends in Toronto were initially interested in ministry in Saskatchewan but stopped contact after researching the reality of the location. Their fear of leaving the "boat" of their comfort zone (the city, Korean community, etc.) caused them to doubt and ultimately miss the opportunity, illustrating how focusing on circumstances leads to doubt.

10. The story does not end with Peter drowning but with Jesus's hand immediately reaching out to save him. This conclusion reveals that Jesus's grace is faster than our failure and that His hand is already there the moment we cry out for help, even when our faith falters.