"Truly, YOU Are The Son Of GOD!"

"Immediately, JESUS obliged HIS disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of HIM to the other side, while HE sent the crowd away.

And having sent the people away, HE went up the mountain by HIMSELF, to pray.  At nightfall, HE was there alone.  Meanwhile, the boat was very far from land, dangerously rocked by the waves, for the wind was against it.

At daybreak, JESUS came to them, walking on the sea.  When they saw HIM walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking that it was a ghost.  And they cried out in fear.  But at once, JESUS said to them, 'Courage!  Don't be afraid.  It's ME!'  Peter answered, 'LORD, if it is YOU, command me to come to YOU on the water.'

JESUS said to him, 'Come!'  And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water to go to JESUS.  But seeing the strong wind, he was afraid, and began to sink; and he cried out, 'LORD save me!'  JESUS immediately stretched out HIS hand and took hold of him, saying, 'Man of little faith, why did you doubt?'

As they got into the boat, the wind dropped.  Then those in the boat bowed down before JESUS, saying, 'Truly, YOU are the Son of GOD!'

They came ashore at Gennesaret.  The local people recognized JESUS and spread the news throughout the region.  So they brought to HIM all the sick people, begging HIM to let them touch just the hem of HIS cloak.  All who touched it became perfectly well." - Matthew 14:22-36 

(JESUS obliged them to get into the boat.  Why?  John's Gospel explains this [John 6:15].  Because of the people, enthused by the miracle, wanted to make HIM a king and liberator sent by GOD.  Even the apostles were eager for this to happen.

They were terrified: thinking that it was a ghost.  The apostles shared the same fears and superstitions that their kinsfolk had.  Only in time would they reach mature faith which drives away these paralyzing beliefs.

Command me to come to YOU.  Matthew is not interested in emphasizing Peter's doubt, but his faith.  Peter alone dared to attempt something that seemed to be reserved for JESUS, and after joining his companions again in the boat he was, though soaked, the happiest of them all.

Man of little faith.  Once more JESUS' reproaches are addressed to HIS best disciples [as in 6:30; 8:26; 16:8; 17:20]--in order to convince future disciples, like us, that much is still lacking in our faith.)

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