In the early 1900s there was a renown high wire walker called the Great Bandini. He was the first to attempt walking across Niagara Falls on a wire. The news media heavily publicized the event and huge crowds gathered on both the American and Canadian sides of the Falls to witness this great event. Bandini began his feat on the Canadian side and all went well until he reached about midway of the walk. Then the wind shifted and he tottered dangerously, almost falling to his death. But the crowd began to chant his name, and encouraged by their enthusiasm he regained his balance and finished his walk to the American side. When Bandini announced he would retrace his steps and recross the Falls the crowd was ecstatic. He asked the crowd if they really thought he could do it, to which they excitedly responded, "We believe." "Then which of you will make the walk sitting on my shoulders?" he asked.
That's a real test of faith, wouldn't you say? And Jesus asks us to demonstrate a similar faith in Him. Faith, of course, is never "a blind leap into the dark," though. It's always based on evidence - (Heb. 11:1). We can trust in Jesus because we've seen what He can do, at least we've been assured of it by those who were eyewitnesses. He never asks us to believe in anything that can't be supported by reliable, verifiable facts. He walked on the water, and seeing it, Peter was emboldened to believe he could do it too - (Mt. 22-33). Many are critical of Peter's faith, and he was weak in faith at times in his life. But on this occasion he was the only one of the disciples who got out of the boat and stepped onto that surging surface of water. How about you, would you have done it? I have a suspicion where I'd have been - clinging to the mast of that boat as tightly as I could probably.
By the way, one man did take Bandini up on his offer and crossed safely to the other side of the falls. Do you have faith enough to trust Jesus to carry you over the turbulence of life's stormy billows?
Lonnie Ritchie