Little Faith, Great Savior (Feb. 6, 2026)
Only Matthew records what occurs after Jesus walks on the water toward his terrified disciples. Peter asks:
Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. (Matt. 14:28, ESV)
Jesus says, “Come,” and Peter steps out of the boat. For a moment, he does the impossible. Then he sees the wind, becomes afraid, begins to sink, and cries out:
Lord, save me. (14:30)
Jesus immediately reaches out and catches him, saying:
O you of little faith, why did you doubt? (14:31)
That phrase—”little faith” (ὀλιγόπιστος, oligopistos)—is uniquely Matthean. It appears five times in this Gospel and nowhere else in the New Testament. It shows up when the disciples worry about food and clothing (6:30), when they fear the storm despite Jesus being in the boat (8:26), here when Peter sinks, and when they worry about bread after Jesus has fed thousands (16:8).
These texts reveal something important. “Little faith” in this Gospel is not intellectual doubt about who Jesus is. It is anxiety and fear in the face of circumstances when Jesus has already demonstrated his power and presence. Peter does not doubt that Jesus can walk on water—he has just seen him do it. Peter doubts whether Jesus’ power extends to him in the wind and waves. Little faith trusts Jesus in theory but struggles to trust him in the storm.
Yet notice what saves Peter. He does not overcome his doubt, strengthen his faith, or calm himself down. He simply cries out, “Lord, save me”—three words in Greek (κύριε, σῶσόν με, kyrie, sōson me). No preamble, no bargaining, no theological precision, no eloquence. Just a desperate cry to the one who can save.
And Jesus responds immediately. He does not wait for Peter to manufacture more faith or compose a better prayer. He reaches out his hand while Peter is still sinking, still doubting, and still afraid. Little faith is enough when it calls out to the right Savior.
Maybe this explains why Matthew includes this story when Mark does not. Ancient tradition says Mark recorded Peter’s preaching, yet Peter apparently did not share this story about himself. Matthew includes it, showing that even an apostle’s faith can be small and wavering—and that even small, wavering faith that calls out to Jesus is met with his immediate saving grace.
The Christian life is not about having perfect faith. It is about knowing whom to cry out to when we sink.
This is very encouraging. Thank you.