“Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:24-31
Can we talk about sea sick! The boat was in the middle of the sea and the disciples were stuck on it all night. You would think that when they saw Jesus walking toward them, they thought they were seeing things. They were stuck and probably determined to ride out the storm or die in the process. They didn’t have a lot of options. And at their moment of despair, they see a figure moving towards them in the distance.
The disciples were so afraid that they cried out in terror. The modern interpretation is that Jesus walked on water…cool. However, the disciples had never even heard or imagined someone walking on water. It simply was impossible. But here is Jesus, defying the odds, coming to the disciples in their moment of need.
Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come ahead.”
Ambitious, bold Peter. What would compel someone to walk on water in the middle of a storm. He didn’t think about everything going against him. If he successfully walked on water, he would be the second person in the history of the world to walk on water. He just jumped out of the boat. Wow. When was the last time you were willing to “jump out of the boat” because Jesus said come? Peter just went for it. He would have rather been with Jesus in the storm then sitting in the boat.
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
The loving words of Jesus reached out to Peter when he lost focus. Jesus grabbed his hand. But don’t miss the first part. “Peter walked on the water to Jesus.”
He actually did it!
Peter stepped out and stood on the water. Left foot out of the boat and then the right foot out of the boat. And he started walking to Jesus. Imagine the guys left in the boat. Peter would have to pick their jaws off the floor. It could have been any person, but it was only Peter who walked on water because he got out of the boat. Did the other guys in the boat have any regrets? Probably. But their faith saw the storm as more powerful than their faith in Jesus. An opportunity of a lifetime was passed up because the wood of a boat seemed more safe.
When we are willing to step out of the boat, we are taking a risk, because most often nobody is following us. Peter wanted to be with Jesus more than being comfortable in the boat. When was the last time you have heard of someone walking on water? Be a Peter…be willing to get out of the boat!
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