Hence the line in the hymn.

Why did Peter ask Jesus to tell him to come to him across the water? Perhaps he fancied a go at walking on water or maybe he wanted this figure in the dark to give a further word of reassurance. Sometimes the disciples seemed to say the first thing that came into their heads and it is hard to understand what they were getting at.

From our perspective it is as if Peter wanted to do great things with Jesus. He sees the Master performing wonders and hopes that discipleship is a call to share in similar amazements. 

And Jesus said ‘Come’. 

It is an extraordinary gift to become a follower of Jesus. It is not that we somehow acquire miraculous powers but he shares with us the promise of taking us beyond our human limitations.

Matthew tells us that Peter actually began to do it. He walked on water; the impossible became a reality.

It reminds us that, for all his flaws, Peter had great faith in Jesus. Faith, we are told, can ‘move mountains’. It seemed to be happening for Peter. And yet – Peter’s faith faltered. He wanted to believe and to trust, but he was deterred by the wind and doubt made him sink.

It is like that for us all. We want to believe, we want to trust. We make those first tottering steps but then we lose our nerve. 

Many of us do have faith and we find great consolation in placing our hopes and future into the hands of a God we cannot see. We recall those words said by Jesus to Thomas in the Upper Room, ‘blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’.

If we are honest most of us would say that we still experience uncertainties. No matter how deep our conviction and great our commitment there are moments when we wonder. It is at such moments we might imitate Peter. As he began to sink he cried out to the Lord to save him. That is all we can do when we feel we are going under. 

There are people who say they would like to believe. They wish they could, but something holds them back. Perhaps it is a fear of letting go. Sometimes the leap in the dark seems a step too far. All we can do is give encouragement and be honest that there are moments when we all fear sinking beneath the waves and sometime we do not even want to get out of the boat. 

The account in the Gospel tells us that Jesus reached out and held Peter. The Gospel story tells us we should hold on . When we feel we are falling apart or drowning in life’s worries we hold fast to the idea that he will not let go. 

Matthew tells us that Jesus got into the boat and the other disciples bowed down and worshipped him calling him ‘the Son of God’. Their realisation must have been based on seeing the wonder of Jesus walking on the sea and the wind then dropping. It must have been a profound moment for them. 

But was there something else? Did Peter’s faith-filled attempt to walk with Jesus on stormy waters move them? They saw him jump overboard and start out, and then they saw him falter, and then they saw him held secure in grip of Jesus Christ.

The faith of others can move me to faith. Others can be moved to faith by mine.