"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. (25) And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. (27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (32) And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. (33) Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."
Many very blessed instructions arise out of this short memorial of Christ's grace to his disciples, which we ought, through the Lord's teaching, to gather. The ship tossed with the waves; and the winds contrary, represents the case of the Church of Jesus at large, and the instance of believers in particular, it is such the Lord comforts in that sweet scripture: Oh! thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted--in righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Isaiah 54:11, etc. And how often, amidst such frights as situations like the tossing of waves induce, is Jesus very near, as He was to his disciples, and we not conscious of it. Hagar, in the wilderness, could, and did say; Thou Lord seeth me. Genesis 16:13. But you and I too often forget the certain truth. I pray the Reader to remark in the ease of Peter's faith, how strong that faith may be, and indeed is, when at the command of the Almighty Giver of it, the Lord calls it forth; but how slender, when the Lord suspends his powerful arm in the support of it. But do not, Reader, overlook the gentle words of Jesus, even in reproof. Oh thou of little faith! (said Jesus) wherefore didst thou doubt? The Lord did not say, Oh thou of no faith: for faith he had, through Jesus giving it to him; but his exercise of it was little. And let the Reader not fail to remark, the sequel of the whole: When they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Yes! so is it always when Jesus makes himself known unto his people. Fear not, I am with thee. Be not dismayed, I am thy God. Look at that precious scripture. Isaiah 43:1-2. I entreat the Reader, not to overlook the conviction wrought on the minds of the mariners of the Godhead of Christ by this event. They worshipped Jesus, and confessed who he was. The Reader will recollect also, how frequently this conviction was wrought on the multitude which followed Christ; and yet how shortly after the sense of it wore off. Luke 4:22-29; Matthew 21:9; Mark 15:13-14.