“Then Peter called to Him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted.” (Matthew 14:28-30 NLT)
These are some of the most fascinating and unbelievable words in the Bible to me. How does a man walk on the water? It’s impossible, right? But since I believe the God of the Bible can do the impossible, I believe this scenario happened just as it’s written – but it still baffles me. Why?
Consider the context. This is following the feeding of the 5,000 men and their families, a miracle of unparalleled effect on the disciples. How does anyone but God multiply enough food to feed, conservatively 20,000 people, from five loaves and two fish and still have 12 baskets full leftover? Can you begin to imagine how pumped they were as they made their way across the water?
Then the sudden storm, with “strong wind” and “heavy waves.” And then, perhaps as the lightning brightened their surroundings, they saw someone walking on the water. The Bible then says: “In their fear, they cried out, ‘It’s a ghost!’” But Jesus assured them it was Him, and that’s when Peter asked to come to Him on the water.
Think about that for a minute. Have you ever been in a rainstorm with the wind howling? It’s not easy to hear anything but the wind and rain. They had to have been shouting at the top of their lungs. And remember, the boat is still rocking, battered by the heavy waves when Peter is trying to get out of it. But he climbs over the side, gets his balance, and begins to walk toward Jesus.
Can you feel Peter’s heart pounding? Can you even begin to imagine what was racing through his mind? But as long as his eyes were locked on the eyes of His Savior, he made progress, but the second he got distracted down he went. The Bible says: “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt Me?’”
How like us in the frightening storms we face in our lives. Physical, emotional, mental, financial, relational and spiritual problems rock us like we’re in a boat on a stormy sea, and we’re looking everywhere for Jesus. “God, where are You? Why are you letting this happen to me?” Seeming oblivious to His ever-present Spirit who resides in each of His blood-bought children.
To me the question is never “Where is Jesus?” The question to me is – “Where am I?” Am I being so distracted by the storms of life I’ve lost sight of Him? Am I so discouraged by “my” circumstances that I forget the Lord of “my” life? Did you catch Jesus’ question when He rescued Peter? “Why did you doubt Me?” What’s the clear implication?
Every storm is designed by God specifically for each of us to grow in our faith. For those just starting out on their faith journey it may be a minor “scrape” or “bruised knee.” But for those who have walked with the Lord a while we may hear words like: “It’s cancer!” or “I’m leaving you!” or “We’re foreclosing!” or “You’re fired!”
Two things to never let the storm cause you to lose sight of: Jesus is always close by, and He’ll always be reaching out to rescue you. Does that guarantee that bad things won’t happen to you? That He’ll prevent the storms of life from sinking you? Not necessarily. But it does guarantee that He won’t let you drown.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 