PETER'S EXPERIMENT by Thomas S. Doolittle

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1888

PETER'S EXPERIMENT.

By Thomas S. Doolittle

"THERE seems," as another says, "to have been some ambition and vainglory in Peter. Not only would he outdo the other disciples, but like Jesus, he would walk on the water." Always impulsive, sanguine, and ready to run risks, Peter thought he could do this, just as afterwards he believed himself capable of standing by his Master, even through false accusation and death. He put his Lord to the test by saying, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." And his Lord put him to the test by answering, "Come."

And Peter, so long as he looked straight to Christ, and exercised lively, unfaltering faith, was borne by a divine, miraculous power safely upon the bosom of the sea. But when his attention was distracted by the boisterous roar of the elements—the wild, battling winds and tumultuous waves, then his faith gave out, and he began to sink. And Christ, designing to show him his weakness, his need of continued help from a higher power, his folly in rashly forfeiting trust, and in undertaking what was really the offspring of spiritual vanity, allowed him to go partially down.

But when Peter, in terrible agony of soul, and now sincere, humble, contrite and believing, uttered the great cry, "Lord, save me!" Jesus stretched forth his hand immediately and caught him. Christ does not delay in the work of salvation. He answers the prayer of faith as soon as it is uttered. But he wants our faith to be full and complete. In all fidelity, he rebuked Peter for doubting. It is doubt that kills.—Prof. T. S. Doolittle, D. D.