Do You Want Walk on Water? Matthew 14

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

After Jesus feeds the five thousand he goes up on the mountain to pray as he often does. Jesus models his dependence on God for everything he does. He realizes the disciples are in the middle of a storm on the lake. Storms in that area were known to happen quickly because of topography of the land. 

In another instance of Jesus’ miraculous power he walks on the water. Someone might dismiss this saying this is physically impossible. They are right it is.  But with Jesus anything was possible because He was God in the flesh. This was a sign of his divinity meant only for his disciples. Though the disciples thought he was a ghost, Jesus tells them it is him. Peter is not so sure.  Jesus challenges him to not be afraid and to take courage. Then Peter gives Jesus a test. He says to Jesus, “If it is you tell me to come out to you.”  Quite a bold move. You might remember the words, “Do not put the Lord to the test.”  But Jesus is game.  He knows this is an opportunity for Peter to exercise his faith.

Peter takes the initial step of faith and then takes his eyes off of Jesus and begins to sink. Fearing for his life, he calls upon Jesus to save him. When Jesus finally pulls Peter into the boat he says, “Why did you doubt, you of little faith.” While Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to walk on water like Jesus did. When he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, he sunk. What can we learn from this story?

Sometimes we all like Peter start with faith and allow doubt to take over our thoughts and mind. When we rely on Christ we can do things we never thought possible. But it is always so easy to go back to trusting in ourselves. Peter would end up doing many miracles as Jesus’ apostle, but today he allowed doubt to overwhelm him and he sunk. God can do amazing things through us if we keep our eyes on Jesus. Things we could never do in our own power.

In what area of your life do you need to keep your eyes on Jesus?  Where are you experiencing  doubt and fear? Where does it feel like the waves are about ready to crash in your boat? Look for Jesus. He is out there on the water saying l, “Come to me!  Just like Jesus saved you on the cross, he will deliver you from this situation too!!