How does Matthew 14:29 connect with Hebrews 11:1 on faith? A Snapshot of the Two Verses • Matthew 14:29 – “Come, said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.” • Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” Faith Defined (Hebrews 11:1) • Assurance: a settled confidence that God’s promises are real. • Certainty: a conviction about realities we cannot yet touch, measure, or prove. • Faith, therefore, lives on God’s word as the surest reality in the universe (cf. Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2). Faith Illustrated (Matthew 14:29) • Invitation: Jesus says, “Come.” One word—enough to trust. • Action: Peter steps out of a perfectly good boat into a perfectly impossible situation. • Result: Peter “walked on the water,” experiencing what assurance and certainty look like in motion. Key Parallels • Word-Based Confidence – Hebrews stresses faith anchored in what God has spoken. – Peter acts solely on Christ’s spoken command. • Hope Made Visible – Hebrews calls faith “assurance of what we hope for.” – Peter hopes to stand with Jesus above the waves; faith turns that hope into lived reality. • Seeing the Unseen – Hebrews highlights “certainty of what we do not see.” – The water still looks wet and impossible, yet Peter treats it as solid because he “sees” Christ’s power more than the waves. • Movement, Not Passivity – Hebrews 11 lists believers who “obeyed,” “built,” “left,” “offered.” – Peter’s step shows that genuine faith always moves (cf. James 2:17). Lessons for Today • God’s promises hold firmer than any circumstance—even laws of physics. • Hearing Christ’s voice in Scripture is enough reason to take the next risky, obedient step. • Doubt grows when we look at the wind; confidence grows when we look at Jesus (Matthew 14:30; Hebrews 12:2). • Faith often begins with a single, courageous “yes,” not with seeing the entire plan. Practical Takeaways 1. Identify a clear command or promise from Scripture—treat it as Jesus saying, “Come.” 2. Act on that word before the conditions seem favorable (2 Corinthians 5:7). 3. Expect God to uphold you, even when what’s underfoot feels fluid. 4. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ to maintain the assurance and certainty described in Hebrews 11:1. |
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