RUSSELL SANDERS
9-22-2023
SIMON PETER – LESSON 8
IMPULSIVE PETER – PART 1

As we study the character of Peter as he walked with Jesus, one of the first things to recognize about him was his impulsiveness. He was one who would “shoot from the hip” so to speak. He would speak without thinking. He would act on impulse without considering the consequences. Let us look at some such examples.

Matthew 14:22-33 tells a remarkable story. Jesus had sent the twelve in the evening to take a ship across the Sea of Galilee while he went to a mountain to pray alone. As the disciples sailed across the sea, a huge raging storm came upon them. It tossed the ship around for much of the night.

Jesus had finished his prayer time and came walking on the water over the stormy waves. It was the fourth watch which was about 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. It was dark. The disciples saw him from a distance, and it scared them out of their wits because they thought it was a ghost (spirit) coming towards them.

To allay their fear, Jesus spoke out loudly so that they could hear him over the waves. In Matthew 14:27 he said, “Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid.” Not being really sure that it was Jesus that he heard, Peter impulsively shouted out, “Lord, IF it (really) be you, bid me to come unto thee on (walking on) the water.” Jesus answered, “Come.”

Now Peter’s doubt turned to faith. He jumped out of the boat and began walking on the water to Jesus. But as he looked down at the waves doubt returned and he began to sink. Immediately Jesus was beside him and took him by the hand. Together they walked the rest of the way, walking on the water until they reached the boat.

Three things are worthy of noticing here. 1. Peter had doubts two times. 2. He was impulsive as he called out to Jesus and faith got him out of the boat. 3. His faith caused him to walk on the water. His impulsiveness led him to a great act of faith, when in the natural, it would be literally impossible to walk on water. Impulsive reactions in the natural can often lead to poor consequences. However, when the impulse (prompting) is given to you by the Holy Ghost, it can lead to the supernatural if you act upon it. Some of Peter’s impulsive words or actions were of the flesh, but many were of the Spirit.

Make sure that your “sudden” impulses are led by the Holy Spirit. Keep your spiritual ears always open. Stay tuned as we look more at Peter’s character.