Two accounts of Jesus and Peter unique to Matthew.
Jesus caught the disciples unawares as He came walking out to them on the Sea of Galilee in the nighttime.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said. Matthew 14
Peter did have a natural boldness, more so than the others. Sometimes it took him out of his depth (no pun intended), but the Lord was able to use his boldness at the birth of the Church. He left the boat and started walking towards Jesus;
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Peter looked away from Jesus to the storm around him and began to sink. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus when we’re going through the storms of this life!
31 IMMEDIATELY JESUS REACHED OUT HIS HAND AND CAUGHT HIM. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Check Isaiah 41:10 – uphold you with my Hand)
Jesus responded ‘immediately’ and He gave Peter His hand. He didn’t just give advice, He reached out personally. (The boat also immediately reached the far shore, storm gone. John 6:21)
Some time ago I was praying with an artist friend who has the gifting of a seer. As we prayed he told me he saw a hand reaching down and taking hold of my right hand. I don’t recall what we were praying about but Heaven reached down and took my hand, just like Jesus did with Peter.
The second account of Jesus and Peter happened after they’d arrived at Capernaum, north west end of the Galilee.
24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes, he does,” he replied. Matthew 17
The religious came looking for their tax. Religion is always interested in money! Peter knew that Jesus did pay it.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
26 “From others,” Peter answered.
Jesus knew the claim for money had been made to Peter and asked him who was entitled to pay the tax.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
For once Jesus didn’t challenge the religious, but He paid the tax. There are times when we also should conform to the systems of the world in which we live, even though they may be corrupt. The money was provided by a miracle tailor made for Peter the fisherman, ‘the first fish will have a coin in it’s mouth for the right amount’. Peter must have laughed when he opened the fish’s mouth and saw it.
God bless and keep you today.