Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
appalling, yet the effect which they produce on believers is here described to us as widely different.
They cause inward peace and strong confidence to hold the sway over our hearts, that we may not
yield to carnal fears. But the reason why we are disturbed by unfounded and sudden alarms is, that
our ingratitude and wickedness prevent us from employing as shields the innumerable gifts of God,
which, if they were turned to proper account, would give us all necessary support. Now though
Christ appeared at the proper time for rendering assistance, yet the storm did not immediately cease,
till the disciples were more fully aroused both to desire and to expect his grace. And this deserves
our attention, as conveying the instruction, that there are good reasons why the Lord frequently
delays to bestow that deliverance which he has ready at hand.
28. And Peter answering. The condition which he lays down shows that his faith was not yet
fully settled. If it is thou, says he, bid me come to thee on the water. But he had heard Christ speak.
Why then does he still argue with himself under doubt and perplexity? While his faith is so small
and weak, a wish not well considered bursts into a flame. He ought rather to have judged of himself
according to his capacity, and to have supplicated from Christ an increase of faith, that by its
guidance and direction he might walk over seas and mountains. But now, without the wings of
faith, he desires to fly at will; and though the voice of Christ has not its due weight in his heart, he
desires that the waters should be firm under his feet. And yet there is no room to doubt that this
longing sprung from a good principle; but as it degenerates into a faulty excess, it cannot be
applauded as good.
Hence too it happens that Peter immediately begins to smart for his rashness. Let believers,
therefore, instructed by his example, beware of excessive haste. Wherever the Lord calls, we ought
to run with alacrity; but whoever proceeds farther, will learn from the mournful result what it is to
overleap the bounds which the Lord has prescribed. Yet it may be asked, Why does Christ comply
with Peter’s wish? for by so doing he seems to approve of it. But the answer is obvious. In many
eases God promotes our interests better by refusing our requests; but at times he yields to us, that
by experience we may be the more fully convinced of our own folly. In this manner, it happens
every day that, by granting to those who believe in him more than is actually needed, he trains them
to modesty and sober-mindedness for the future. Besides, this was of advantage to Peter and to the
other disciples, and it is of advantage to us at the present day. The power of Christ shone more
brightly in the person of Peter, when he admitted him as a companion, than if he had walked alone
on the waters. But Peter knows, and the rest see plainly, that, when he does not rest with a firm
faith, and rely on the Lord, the secret power of God, which formerly made the water solid, begins
to disappear; and yet Christ dealt gently with him by not permitting him to sink entirely under the
waters. 382 Both of these things happen to us; for as Peter was no sooner seized with fear than he
began to sink, so the fleeting and transitory thoughts of the flesh immediately cause us to sink in
382 “Ne permettant qu’il enfondre du tout en l’eau, et se noye;” — “not allowing him to sink entirely in the water, and be
drowned.”
167
John Calvin