The Boat was Safe, Peter Jumped Anyway

He had every reason to stay. He had one reason to go.

Simon Peter had been up all night fishing. The fishing had been fruitless — until it wasn't. And when word reached Peter that the person on the shore was Jesus, Peter didn't wait for the boat. He jumped (John 21:7).

Presence over comfort, presence over position, presence over fear.

This is the same Peter, who in John 20, went with another disciple to see the tomb where Jesus Christ had been buried — the tomb which was found empty. This is the same Peter who in John 18 (also Luke 22) we see having denied knowing Jesus Christ three times (as Jesus had previously warned).

This is the same Peter who obeyed Jesus' command, got out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus (Matthew 14).

Obedience before outcome — even when the waves were real.

Why do you think we struggle with obedience? Maybe obedience is hard because it requires trusting someone else's judgment over your own. Peter knew that tension. Peter knew Who was standing on the shore.

Why does any of this matter? Peter isn't a stained-glass saint. He is someone who failed publicly, doubted visibly, and still ran — or swam — toward Jesus.

And, despite his previous rejection of Jesus, Peter is seen in John 21 still seeking Jesus above all else. This hits close to home for me — it reminds me of my own failures in my walk with Christ. Yet, I try each morning to spend my first hour with God: reading the Bible and devotionals, spending time in prayer and praise, listening to God, and centering myself in Christ for the day.

I strive to have the same mindset as Peter - to jump out of bed each morning toward the Lord. To be present before I am productive. To seek His presence in the day before the day seeks me.

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8, NIV).

The boat is always the safer choice. Peter knew that too. He jumped anyway.

May you choose Jesus as your first desire above all things. May you choose obedience to Him over all else. Amen.