Why Did You Doubt?

Jesus asked Peter, "Why did you doubt?" when Peter started to sink after stepping out of the boat to walk toward Jesus on the surface of the lake. The Greek word used in Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 14:31) which is translated "doubt" in the NIV is "distazo". "Distazo means to stand in two ways implying uncertainty which way to take (Mt 14:31; 28:17). See BAGD—200a, THAYER—152d."¹

How many of us at some point in our life do step out of the seeming security of our "boat" to walk toward Jesus, but then find ourselves sinking when we look around and realize humanly this is not possible? We can find ourselves with health or economic problems or other difficulties common to everyone. Then we question whether God is really being good to us. We wonder, "Should I go back where I'm safe and comfortable and feel secure? Which way should I take: should I 'walk by faith, not by sight' or go back to the wide road most of the world travels?"

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus later tells us that he is the gate, he is the way, he is the truth and life itself (John 10:1-18; 14:6). If you have intellectual doubts about who Jesus was and is, and you really want to know for sure, you can find the evidence. Many competent Christian apologists have written answers for the objections to Jesus' true identity as the Son of God who became a man and lived and died among us. If you want to know, you can know. If you already know, cling to Jesus as the way to live without wavering between two opinions.