Article December 7, 1940 Issue

"Be not afraid!"

ELIZABETH JEANNETTE JUDD

The fourteenth chapter of Matthew contains the incident of Peter's attempt to walk on the water, and reveals a fact of great comfort to mankind. It is related that the disciples were in a ship buffeted by wind and wave, and seeing Jesus walking on the water, they were "troubled," for they thought it was a spirit. Even after his loving assurance, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid," Peter, still doubtful, answered, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." When Jesus, always patient with the doubts and fears of his disciples, bade him come, Peter stepped forth from the ship and began to walk on the water. The radiant inspiration of the Christ-presence had turned Peter's thought away from his physical surroundings. It was this inspiration which was to enable him to declare, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." But, apparently losing sight in some measure of the Saviour, Peter heeded again the boisterous waves and was afraid; then, beginning to sink, he cried out to Jesus for help. We read that "immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

Now, we know that Jesus lived to show forth God's will; and Christian Science reveals the fact that his acts were natural manifestations of his understanding of God's presence, power, and purpose. If we were always alert to ascribe Jesus' works to the presence of the Christ, we should know that what Truth enabled him to do centuries ago can be done here and now.

Since the passage under consideration indicates that when Peter saw the waves he was afraid and began to sink, we may accept the conclusion that his failure to walk on the water was the result of his fear, and that it was from the effects of fear that the Christ rescued him. Jesus did not withhold his hand, though he rebuked Peter; his response through spiritual understanding was instant.

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