“We're going to drown!”

A fierce wind blew, bobbing the boat like a cork in the surf. Peter and the rest of Jesus' disciples crouched together, soaked and scared, as waves crashed over the sides of the boat.

In all Peter's years of fishing, he had never seen a storm like this. Thunder and lightning burst overhead.

Ka-boom!

In the flash, Peter thought he saw something—a man walking on the water!

“It's a ghost!” one of the disciples cried.

Peter pushed against the wind to the edge of the boat.

“Jesus?” he called.

“It can't be Jesus,” another disciple said. “We left Him on the shore. Besides, no man can walk on water.”

But Peter knew Jesus was no ordinary man.

Peter leaned over the edge of the boat. Waves splashed his face, and thunder crashed in his ears. “Lord, if it's You,” Peter yelled across the angry sea, “tell me to come to You on the water.”

Peter's friends could not believe it. “It's impossible to walk on water!” they said.

Jesus held out His hand. “Come!”

Peter lifted his legs over the side and stepped out of the boat. His feet touched the water, and . . . he stood!

“Just keep putting one foot in front of the other,” he said to himself, walking forward. His eyes never left the Master's face. Reaching Jesus was all that mattered.

Halfway to Jesus, a strong wind swirled around Peter. His hair whipped his face. His wet robe flapped against his legs. Peter looked back at the boat, and his friends' words echoed in his mind: It's impossible to walk on water!

Peter felt afraid. What am I doing? he thought. I can't walk on water! I'm going to sink and drown!

His heart pounded as his fears weighed him down. Peter felt the cold water creeping up his legs as he began to sink into the deep darkness.

“Lord, save me!” Peter cried, reaching out.

Before the words had left Peter's lips, Jesus grabbed his hand and pulled him up.

“Your faith is so small,” Jesus said, leading Peter back to the boat. “Why did you doubt me?”

They climbed aboard, and the wind died down.

The disciples gathered around and worshipped Jesus. “You really are the Son of God,” they said.

Peter learned a great lesson that day. He learned to trust Jesus' power.

For many years after Jesus returned to heaven, Peter taught others about his powerful Savior. Peter did miracles and healed the sick. He faithfully did the work Jesus gave him, because he knew Jesus was alive.

When Peter felt afraid, he must have thought about that day on the water. For the rest of his life, Peter kept his eyes on Jesus-one step at a time.

Brave Believer

Simon and his brother Andrew were fishermen from Galilee when they met Jesus. He invited them to be fishers of men and gave Simon a new name: Peter. Peter was special, because he was the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus chose Peter to lead His followers-the church-after He had gone back to heaven.

Many people heard about Jesus through Peter's teaching. He wrote First and Second Peter in the Bible. Peter was often punished and put in jail for serving Jesus, but he never stopped telling others the good news.

Read John 14:27. Many things can make you feel afraid, but Jesus wants to give you His peace. Like Peter, you can call on Jesus when you are afraid, and He will help you.