Disarming Peter Pt I: Faith

In disarming Peter, Christ disarmed all Christians. Tertullion 2nd Century AD.

The disciple Peter was a hothead. He was boisterous, arrogant, proud, and stubborn. He was the unspoken leader of the twelve disciples. He was the first to jump into a situation, first to defend Jesus, and subsequently, he would often times, be the first to fail. Peter was the prototypical fundamental evangelical Christian. Like all Christians, Peter had his trials, and his failures. It is through his life, that we can learn how to get up when we fall.
Many times, Christians will say they put all their trust and faith in Jesus to guide them in the direction that they need to go. But, do they really? How many times have you prayed, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, without putting your own conditions on the prayer. One day, Peter was tested in his faith.
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' '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?'” (Matthew 14:22-31 NIV)
Peter did what many Christians do, he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on his own understanding. He knew it is impossible to walk on water, yet, being focused on Jesus, he knew anything was possible. Then, he became aware of his surroundings, and lost his focus on Jesus. It was at that point, that he began to sink. The good thing, when he began to go down, he had the sense to call out to Jesus to save him.
How many are like Peter? Focusing on Jesus, then something comes along and removes your focus on him and onto the other things. Many times, we wait until we are sinking to seek Jesus. It was that action, the action of little faith, that prompted Jesus to step in, save him, and rebuke him.
When Peter was focused on Jesus, everything was going perfectly for him. He was walking on the water just like Jesus was doing. The wind then struck his face, and Peter's faith diminished, and what was possible, became impossible. Peter took his eyes off Jesus and failed.
When we are facing impossible tasks, we need to realize that Jesus needs to be our focus. When we are faced with impossible tasks, then how do we keep our eyes on Jesus.
The first step is to surround yourself with Christians who will help you keep your focus on Jesus. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1,2) By surrounding yourself with Christian people, they can help you keep your focus on Jesus. Good accountability partners can keep your focus on Jesus, and warn you when you begin to take your eyes of of Jesus.
The second step is to turn everything over to him. Whether it is marital problems, work problems, school problems, or any problem that you are facing, turn it over to Jesus. He wants to be the one to carry our problems, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ( Matthew 11:28,29 NIV). Don't be afraid to ask for help, before you need it. Pride has a way of getting in the way and preventing people from asking for help. If you know it's going to be a daunting task, ask for help before you get started. Don't try to do it on your own. Go to Jesus first, and get the guidance that you need.
The third step is to ask before it becomes too much of a burden. Peter waited until the last moment to ask for help, don't wait that long. Though patience may be good, it can also be a hindrance to getting things done for God. By incorporating the first two steps, you won't need to use the third step. Peter, if he would have kept focused on Jesus, wouldn't have begun to drown.
During WW II, the Germans were bombing London. One day, a father and daughter were trying to escape the bombings. They came to a hole in the ground and the father jumped in first. The father yelled to his daughter to jump in. She cried back, “Daddy, I can't see you, the smoke is too thick.” The father yelled back, “That's OK, I can see you, go ahead and jump and I will catch you.” No matter how small our faith is, if we remain focused on Jesus, he will take care of us.