FAITH VENTURE

FAITH VENTURE

“And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." Matt. 14:28

Matthew was using in this story a Hebrew literary form called syndeton which is the repeated use of the word and in order to create a sequence. The 1st sequence is seen in vss. 28-29. The 2nd starts in the middle of vs. 30. Therefore there are two sequences separated by an opposite word "but." Two parts, the 1st of an exalted experience of failure followed by the 2nd which tells of a sudden defeat and finally a fulfilled purpose. The story starts with an "and" which means something precipitated his request. They had been fighting a storm with the boat trying to follow the command of the Lord and while doing that had sighted a phantom which turned out to be Christ on the sea walking Who had spoke the words "It is I; be of good courage." It is then that Peter made this request. Peter had just experienced two fears which were banished by the presence and sound of His Masters voice. He was asking for a great venture in fellowship with his Lord in those powers that made Him superior to the forces and perils which had threatened to engulf their frail boat. This was obedience to the command that Christ had just made to them to be of good courage. "Let me prove my courage." It was a venture based on Christ's authority. "If it be Thou." This was an hour when Peter saw a new vision of the power of the Lord and produced an aspiration of need for a closer fellowship with Him in the exercise of that power. Peter had a passionate desire to do exactly what he saw the Lord doing.

                He waited for the command of Jesus. The word "Come" was an admission of Jesus of the possibility of the impossible. Although Jesus knew that in a few moments Peter would be floundering in the waves, He still said "Come." Come and prove the challenge of the My word "It is I" and answer the question of the question of thy word "If it be Thou." "Come" and discover the weakness that lurks in your own heart in order that I can bring you to a new realization of My power, and that through proof of weakness you can find mastery, that in fellowship with Me you can fulfill the high aspiration of the soul which asks to do the impossible.