Dear Christian friends:

A mother was weeping because her husband had died. Her son came into the room and said to her, "You weep so much and long, mother. Why?" She told him that they had no money and she didn't know how they will live now. He said to her, "Mother, is God dead?" (6000, Sermon Illustrations, 2109)

Often we worry and fear, the same as that mother. We often have weak faith or no faith. In our text, which is the Gospel lesson for today, we see how Peter showed weak faith when he tried to walk on the water and failed. Our text shows us good news,


Jesus thinks that we Christians should never have weak faith. Why? Because Jesus loves us and He cares for us. He protects us from temptation (verse 22, 1 Corinthians 10:13)

He sees us at all times and knows what is happening to us. (Mark 6:46-48, Matthew 28:20)

He comforts us by coming to us and speaking to us. (verse 27)

He hears and answers our prayers. (verses 28-29)

Jesus cares for us always and perfectly. We should always trust Him, not doubt Him with weak faith. We should trust Him the same as a little child trusts its father and mother. (6060, Sermon Illustrations, 2104)

But we Christians, His disciples often forget Jesus' wonderful care for us and then doubt Him. Peter forgot. He thought that the wind and waves were stronger than Jesus.

We also forget Jesus' care when we trust and depend on earthly things and do not depend on Jesus: In our daily work, in the church.

Although Jesus rebukes our weak faith, and thinks we should never have it, He doesn't let our weak faith stop Him. Jesus helps and saves those who have weak faith, the same as He here helped and saved Peter. (verse 31)

Jesus shows love and mercy to Peter and to us. According to law Jesus should have let Peter drown, but he did not do that. (Explain)

Jesus praying in the mountain place, after He multiplied the five bread loaves and two fishes, before He came walking on the water to help His disciples show that Jesus refused the devils temptation to be a king here on earth. Jesus remembered His purpose here on earth, that He must suffer and die on the cross so we can have sins forgiven, also our sins of weak faith or no faith. (verse 23)

Jesus never forsakes His disciples although they this time and other times later on showed weak faith or no faith. He even creates faith in them.

Jesus rescued Peter from drowning although he did not deserve that help. With love and mercy Jesus does a second miracle, He gives faith to Peter and the other disciples. (verses 32-33)

Jesus never forsakes us, also, although we can't blame Him if He did forsake us. We insult Him and disappoint Him when we have weak faith or no faith.

Therefore Jesus comes to us during our Church service and through the Word and the Sacraments creates faith in our hearts and makes our faith in our hearts and makes our faith stronger: When we are sorry and ashamed of our sins and confess our sins, then Jesus forgives our sins through the pastor when he says, (sign absolution)

When the pastor reads the three lessons and preaches the sermon Jesus also comforts us and gives us faith. The same when we come to the Lord's Supper. He gives us His body and blood to seal to us the forgiveness of our sins. This also makes stronger our faith.

Jesus doesn't want to see weak faith in us. He thinks we should never have weak faith, but have strong faith. Why? Because of His wonderful love and care for us!

However, Jesus doesn't let weak faith stop Him or frustrate Him. Through the Word and the Sacraments Jesus creates faith in us and keeps us believing in Him.

Lord, help us attend to Your Word and the Sacraments through which You give us faith. We praise You the Giver and Keeper of our faith!

Amen.