Jesus Walks on Water

[NIV]

²²Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.²³After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷But 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. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

³²And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.³³Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

³⁴When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

What Jesus did in this passage still amazes me, and I must admit there are times when I have trouble believing or imagining Him walking on water. But I'm even more surprised that Peter started to walk on the water as well. When I put myself in Peter's shoes, I know I would not have walked out onto the water especially considering the condition of the weather. I would have hid myself in the corner of the boat and just prayed that I would make it back to shore safely.

I'm assuming Peter was the only one who had faith that it was Jesus considering he started to walk out onto the water towards Jesus when he was told to do so. But we see how quickly he asks for help as soon as he starts to sink and the wind picks up. In that moment, Peter's faith was tested by Jesus and his faith started out strong but quickly went away as soon as fear and calamity came.

I often find this true in my life, where I tell myself and others that I just have to faith in God no matter what...but when calamity strikes in my life..how quickly my faith disappears. I instantly start to doubt and become fearful of what's to happen next. I, too, just like Peter cry out for help in panic mode without realizing God was with me all along.

Our true colors really show in certain moments of our lives. There may have been instances where we acted on very little faith. May we continue to earnestly seek and pray for a greater faith in our God.

Here are some verses that came to mind after reflecting on this passage:

Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Mark 9:24 "..I do believe, help me to over come my unbelief!"

Matthew 17:20 "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can tho this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."