Jesus Walks on the Water
Straight away, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and start back across the lake. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away. Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray.
Later that evening, he was still there. By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves.
A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming. At once, Jesus said to them, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter replied, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him. But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Right away, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?” When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down. The men in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!”
Matthew 14:22-33 Contemporary English Version
A few thoughts from a colleague, Heather Den Houting, from the Queensland Synod studies on Experiences of Jesus written earlier this year.
The Bible reading comes at a time when the disciples had been travelling with Jesus for some time. They had witnessed miracles and healing, and had observed the intellectual rigour that Jesus had exercised in discussions with religious leaders. They were devoted followers of their teacher.
At the time of this story the disciples were without their leader on a boat in stormy seas. Their lives were threatened by the elements, uncontrolled and frightening. Across this sea of danger they saw the figure of Jesus who somehow was able to walk across the water. The disciples were astonished and even more terrified.
Despite this, through the chaos of the unknown and the unimaginable, Peter heard Jesus’ voice. In response he asked to become part of this amazing event, to participate in the impossible.
Peter cast aside all he knew and understood to walk in the path of faith; he is took a deep breath and asked to be part of a transformed world, a world where he could walk on water. He stepped out of the boat.
Suddenly, trying to accommodate the impossibility of his situation hit home. Peter wobbled. He stumbled. He sank and he called out in fear. The longing for transformation was not enough. But Jesus was immediately there and lifted him up.
This is a story about the longing for change and transformation, and the faltering frail steps that we take on the path through change and uncertainty. The words of Wren’s hymn remind us that even if we do sink beneath the waves, we are still safe. When we start to sink Jesus is there, reminding us that, with faith, we can be transformed and become transformers in the world. When Jesus called Peter, he said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ If we heed this call, if we acknowledge that faith grows out of a relationship with the person of Jesus, miracles happen. The tempestuous nature of the world around us fades into insignificance in the light of that relationship.
In water we dive,
and cannot draw breath,
then surface alive
rebounding from death.
Our old self goes under,
in Christ dead and drowned.
We rise, washed in wonder,
by love clad and crowned.
Charles Wren