Why Did Peter Ever Ask Jesus To Let Him Walk on the Waters With Him?

Would you have asked the same thing?

We’re all familiar with that part of the story when Peter began to sink right after seeing the strong winds. But have you ever wondered what made Peter ask Jesus to invite him on the waters?

“In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It’s a ghost!’ and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.’

Peter answered him and said, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.’

He said, “Come!”

Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. 

- Matthew 14:25–29, WEBBE

What was he thinking? Can we compare it to the emotional excitement of a little child who suddenly wanted to do something amazing? Can we assume Peter was even half asleep when he asked, not considering the consequences of his words?

The disciples all cried out in fear thinking that Jesus was a ghost! And in the midst of that fear, here comes Peter, asking the Lord to command him to come.

Was it Peter’s way of checking if it was indeed Jesus and not a ghost? How would this verify the identity of the one walking on the waters?

In Peter’s mind, perhaps he thought that if it were Jesus, He would be able to recognize him. Peter also believed that, unlike a ghost, Jesus had the power to invite him to walk on the waters also.

And Jesus did. He commanded Peter to come to him!

Jesus may have told Peter how little faith he had later on. But I have now come to realize that even such a little faith can do so much! 

It was what prompted Peter in the first place to ask Jesus for such an impossible thing. Why on earth would you ever ask something like that if you did not even believe? If you did not trust Jesus can and that Jesus will sustain you as you walk over the waters?

Among all the disciples, it was only Peter who asked. And that was why only Peter walked with Jesus. Can we even imagine doing that? Perhaps we can right now because Peter gave us an example. But if he did not, would we even dare?

We may never fully know what Peter thought when he asked Jesus to let him come. Maybe it was a spontaneous desire brought about by the astonishing sight of his Master. Maybe it was the yearning to join Jesus in an experience that would change his life forever. All that we know is that his Lord invited him to come, and Peter walked over the waters with Jesus.

“For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’” — Matthew 17:20, WEBBE