10th July 2026

10th July 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 14:22-36)


Message (Philipp Jaeschke)


I’m sure many of you have been to see the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on the North Antrim coast. I visited it for the second time not too long ago. Maybe you’ve been brave enough to cross the bridge, which isn’t necessarily all that simple if you’re a little bit afraid of heights like I am. Anyway, I’ve found that as you cross the bridge it’s best to focus just on your feet step by step as you walk across the wooden planks. As soon as you shift your focus and look down to the left or to the right at the waves and the rocks 30 metres below, that’s when people like me can easily get a bit dizzy and unsteady on their feet. Even though it’s perfectly safe with the netting and the handrail rope along the side. You have good reason to have faith that you won’t fall into the sea just like that. As I understand, what is now the rope bridge used to actually be just one piece of rope tied across and the salmon fishermen would edge their way along, clinging to the rope with their equipment and their catch tied to their backs. That’s faith on a whole other level.


As Jesus approaches their storm-tossed boat in the middle of the night, Peter is the disciple who takes a leap of faith. With Jesus’ approval he steps out of the boat and starts walking towards him on the water. But as he sees the wind he is filled with fear and begins to sink. Still, even in his despair he knows where his help is. He calls out to Jesus: “Lord, save me!” Jesus then grabs his hand and keeps him from sinking. But he has something to say to Peter: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (v. 31).


We might have expected that this incident would put a lasting strain on Jesus’ relationship with Peter. Peter has majorly disappointed Jesus. And he will do so again on other occasions in the future. Nonetheless, Peter has displayed active faith by stepping out onto the water. Even though his faith is ‘little’, it is still real. And Jesus acknowledges it. It is a foundation to build on. And that’s what Jesus intends to do with Peter. In fact Peter is the rock on which Jesus will build his church (Matthew 16:18). 


We shouldn’t be discouraged by this encounter between Jesus and Peter. God will not let our recurring doubts, our failures, and our weakness destroy our relationship with him. Even with our ‘little faith’ we remind ourselves constantly: “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). We call on Jesus for our salvation and he responds. Just as Jesus saved Peter from sinking to the depths of the sea by grabbing his hand, Jesus also saved us from the depths of hell by dying on the cross for our sins. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. ” (Ephesians 2:8). For that we are eternally grateful.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q9 What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
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