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9th in Matthew, OCALA August 1, 2004 "O you of little faith! Why is it that you doubted?" (Matthew 9:26) All of us, at one time or another, must have inwardly sensed this type of a rebuke in varying degrees. It was a strong reprimand of the Lord, for Peter's unsteady faith, as we heard in today's Gospel lesson. It is a rebuke which can be applied to so many of us, who have quivering faith. After the Lord had fed the 5000 in the desert, he told His Disciples to board their boat, and that He would soon meet them on the other side. Toward evening, a great tempest arose and the Apostles' boat was being tossed dangerously amidst the great waves. Adding to the fear, which was before them, the Disciples become increasingly frightened by what appeared to be a Ghost walking on the water. Their fear instantaneously disappears when they heard the Master's voice from afar: "Be of good cheer. Fear not, it is I". Peter then said with great enthusiasm: "Lord, if it is you, bid me to come to You on the water." The Lord says: "come". Without hesitation, Peter steps off the boat with great resolve walking toward the Master, hoping that he would meet up with Him. Digressing for moment, I think that it is very important at this point, to interject some of the characteristics of Peter's psychological make-up, in view of the fact, that so many, many people fall into his category. Peter was of the type, who easily become enthusiastic; and during this enthusiasm, they even become overwhelmingly optimistic. But, moments later, because of some adversity, their enthusiasm suffers irreparably. Did we not witness this during the Passion of our Lord, when Peter denied the Lord, even though he had told Jesus that he would follow Him until the very end, regardless of what suffering He was to endure? Then, a short time later, he denied the Lord 3 times, saying that he never knew the Man! So it was, that enveloped with the spirit of spontaneous enthusiasm, --- being heart and soul within the Lord's realm, Peter miraculously commences to walk on the surface of the water. As long as his faith was consistent with his enthusiasm, and his determination undaunted, everything was proceeding beautifully, much to the amazement of his fellow Disciples. But, in a split second --- his faith, which had brought forth the Miracle, is substituted with his human logic, apprehension and calculations. Instead of Peter, girding his faith to overcome his human imperfection, and instead of keeping himself totally focused in the Lord's care, Who, after all had given him the supernatural power to walk on the water, Peter permits himself to become subjugated to his doubts and fears. The fears and doubts, which are part of our human frailty and failing. As Peter commenced to doubt, simultaneously at that point he commenced to gradually sink into the water. He is stricken with panic, and in great agony for his very life, he pleads: "Lord, save me!" It is precisely at this point, that the Lord rebuked Peter for his quivering faith! It is then, that the Lord rebuked him saying: "O you of little faith. Why is it that you doubted?" Isn't it amazing, dear Friends, how these very words of the Lord, have such wide application to our spiritually deficient society in this great century of progress? How many, many people have been lost, ---- how many great works and endeavors were destroyed or nullified, simply because men of little faith were at the helm?just like Peter, they proceeded believing, that they could accomplish, that which was in their mind, only to weaken and break down, precisely at the moment, that they needed to bolster their faith, to bring to fruition, that which they had undertaken, and as they originally had envisioned it. This deficiency in faith, to a great degree, comes from the fact, that man relies strictly on his own strength, without ever thinking, that the Lord is the Giver of all true gifts -- of all strength, --- of all wisdom, and of all power. I like the very simple saying, which is not so very simple in meaning; It states: "There is nothing, that the Lord and I cannot do together." It is this dependency on the help that God gives, which works miracles in life. During these last decades of unbelievable technological progress, I think that we have the feeling of self-sufficiency, and also the possibility that we have become somewhat complacent. It almost seems, that we have deluded ourselves in considering human intellect, a deity. Thus, it is not rare to hear some of the intelligentsia of this world, as well as their blind followers, to look down upon, and even ridicule religion and the religious, by saying something like: "It's such a waste of time, and even foolish in these times of unbelievable discoveries, and scientific achievements, to talk about God, the Bible and Miracles!" To be sure, it is exactly this line of disbelief, and thinking, that blinds people to the miracles and greatness of God. These types are appropriately described in the Scriptures, as "people, who, even though they have ears do not hear, and while they have eyes, they do not see." (Mark 8:18) Miracles are an everyday occurrence, but they can only be seen through the eyes of faith! Life itself is the greatest miracle, --and God, Who created man, grants him the power and the possibilities to work miracles! There is no doubt, that in times of great stress and trial, it may appear, that the Lord has forsaken us; --- but, this does not really happen, because He assured us of this when He said. "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. "'(Matthew 28:20) The Lord knows those, who are His, --- and for this reason, our faith in the will of God, should be without calculations and doubts, because, He emphasized to all of us: "All things are possible to the one, who believes!" (Mark 9:23) There is a story of an eminent surgeon, who virtually performed miracles through his operations. While this surgeon had saved so many, who otherwise may have been doomed, he nonetheless, lost his courage and self-confidence, when it came to operate and save a member of his immediate family! It is at this point, that the surgeon, should have remembered the faith of the father in the Scriptures, whose child was healed by the Lord. When the Lord asked him, "do you believe I can do this?" the father replied: "Yes Lord, I believe,--but help me in my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24) Lack of confidence, deficient faith and doubt, can really become a disaster. The lack of true and unshakeable faith cripples a person precisely at the point, when he or she could have saved a particular situation. That is why, we should be introspective. To examine our inner self and our strength. Then, if we discover any clue, that we fall into the category of little faith, we must take hold of ourselves; we must re-assure ourselves, that our faith in God is a veritable source of courage, of love, of power, of hope, of patience, of perseverance, of peace and of love, --- and most assuredly a guaranty of our ultimate salvation. The Lord gave Peter the power to walk on the water. Peter believed, but not steadfastly. He weakened, as a result of relying only on self! There is no question, but that it is the unshakeable faith, which brings forth miracles! How deep, and to what extent of power should our faith be? The Lord gave us this emphatic example: "If you have faith, even as minute as a mustard seed, you shall be able to move mountains of worries and obligations, and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20) Beloved Friends: Our chief aim in life should be to bolster our faith in the power of God, and His working through us. We should live by the examples narrated in the Bible. No less should we keep in mind the great imitators of the Lord, the Saints, who sacrificed their life, rather than deny the Lord Jesus. Identifying then, with the spirit of the Saints, we can be assured that all things can become possible, because, it will be the power of God working through us. Back to Father's page |
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