What Peter Saw: His Miracles

 

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds. And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out with fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them: “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Mt 14:22-33, NET)

There are 37 miracles of Jesus recorded in the Gospel accounts. They take on all forms. Some are healings. Some are related to nature. Others are concerning the spiritual realm. It’s interesting to consider what a miracle represents. We are familiar with the laws of nature. Science itself is built on the assumption that the natural laws are consistent and inviolate. But miracles are different. Anytime God supersedes the normal laws of the universe, we respond in wonder and awe. That might be one of the primary purposes of a miracle. It teaches us to fear God. It also shows us that he takes a personal interest in mankind. This teaches us to love him.

Peter probably witnessed more of Jesus' miracles than anyone. I often wonder which miracle had the greatest impact on him. I would imagine any miracle that involved all of his five senses would have a big impact- like when he saw Jesus walking on water.

Peter, James, and John were no stranger to wind and waves.  They were professional fishermen.  They had spent long hours in the elements.  That night they were trying to cross the Sea of Galilee from Bethsaida. They were headed to Capernaum, and they had traveled five or 6 km.  Towards daybreak they saw Jesus walking on the water. This was no hop skip and a jump for the Lord. It was a long walk on the wind and waves.  At first, they thought they were seeing a ghost, and they were terrified.  But when Jesus spoke to them, they recognize that it was him. At this point Peter does a rather unusual thing. He asked Jesus to call to him and command him to walk towards him on the water. And it worked!

It was unusual to see Jesus hiking over the Sea of Galilee, but they had seen him do many amazing things. What seems even more unusual was to see Peter walking on the water. When Jesus said, "Come", Peter got out of the boat and began walking toward him.  I would imagine Peter had exited boats many times before in his career as a fisherman.  But he had never had the experience of stepping out on water that would hold him up.  And how exactly did he walk?  If the waves were high, did he walk up one side of the wave and down the other?  Did the water feel squishy between his toes, or spongy, or firm?  Was it like walking on Jello?

At any rate, it didn't last long.  When Peter got his eyes off the Lord and onto the strong wind, he became afraid.  That's when he sank.  Fortunately, he was close to Jesus, who reached out and saved him.  Immediately after that, the wind stopped.  The disciples were overwhelmed by what they had witnessed, and they worshipped him.  They exclaimed, "Truly you are the Son of God."

But consider Peter.  He sees Jesus walking on water.  Then he asks Jesus to order him to come to him.  I suppose he knew he would be safe if Jesus commanded it.  That shows a lot of wisdom.  He could have jumped out without checking with Jesus first.  That would have been a mistake.  Somehow, he knew if Jesus commanded, it would work out.  And it did.  He was learning that Jesus was able to do the miraculous.  And if Jesus gave the go ahead, Peter could do the miraculous also. This knowledge served him well after the resurrection.

Peter heals a man lame from birth in Acts 3:1-10: 

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time for prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried up, who was placed at the temple gate called “the Beautiful Gate” every day so he could beg for money from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts, he asked them for money. Peter looked directly at him (as did John) and said, “Look at us!” So the lame man paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!” Then Peter took hold of him by the right hand and raised him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. He jumped up, stood and began walking around, and he entered the temple courts with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the man who used to sit and ask for donations at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with astonishment and amazement at what had happened to him. (Acts 3:1-10, NET)

Peter heals Aeneas, a man paralyzed for eight years in Acts 9:32-35:

Now as Peter was traveling around from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for eight years because he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Get up and make your own bed!” And immediately he got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Peter raises Dorcas in Acts 9:36-43:

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means Dorcas). She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity. At that time she became sick and died. When they had washed her body, they placed it in an upstairs room. Because Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them, and when he arrived they brought him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him the tunics and other clothing Dorcas used to make while she was with them. But Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Of course, Peter saw much more than Jesus walking on water.  He probably saw him conduct most of the 37 miracles recorded in the gospels.  He saw people healed, raised from the dead, demons banished, and storms quieted.  He grew accustomed to unusual events. And he learned that in the name of Jesus miracles can happen. But Peter had the extraordinary distinction of having walked on water. Not many people can say that.

Questions to consider: 

1. What does this story teach us about Jesus? About Peter?
2. How about you? Have you ever seen an unusual answer to prayer?
3. How has your faith grown from this experience?

Related:

His Compassion

He Suffered

His Grace and Truth

His Majesty