Walking on Water

Matthew 14:22-33 Walking on the Water (The Message)

 22-23As soon as the meal was finished, (that is, the Feeding of the Five Thousand) Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

 24-26Meanwhile, 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.

 27But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."

 28Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."

 29-30He said, "Come ahead."

   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!"

 31Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"

 32-33The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!"

This is the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday, August 7. The story is not about the magical abilities of God. The Son of God walks on water? No big deal. This, according to our faith, is the Creating Word through whom all things were made. So we’re not especially interested in the story as miracle. 

We are interested though in what happens with Peter. Jesus calls him. By faith, he gets out of the boat and starts walking. But as soon as he looks down and thinks he has to do this impossible thing himself, he sinks. We are meant to perceive that we can do anything God calls us to do, meet any challenge, accomplish the impossible, through faith in Jesus Christ. That’s what the story teaches. We need not think we must be independent, self-sufficient in anything the Son of God calls us to do.

TW+