Peter Walking on the Water

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat wor>shiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:22-33

When Christ said ‘Come’, Peter put his trust in God and climbed out of the boat. He didn’t let fear or the natural circumstances stop him. He obeyed Christ’s call, and into the water he went. Faith is always expressed by obedience to Christ. Peter put his confidence in Christ’s Word, and didn’t look at his own inabilities. As long as he kept his eyes on Christ he stayed walking and upright. However, when he let his fears creep in, he began to sink.

Walking on water is walking by faith and looking to Christ for all we need. It is putting Christ first in our lives and seeking first to do His will. As we look to Christ and put our faith in Him, His peace will keep our hearts and minds and enable us to rise above the stormy

circumstances. Those who are trusting in Christ will have a faith and peace that carries them through some very difficult storms. Others will see and want to know about this Peace. That’s walking on water!

When we walk on water, we are walking away from what we find natural and comfortable and walking towards our highest goal in life, Christ.

Many never ‘walk on water’ because they are letting fear and unbelief stop them from obeying Christ’s call. They are looking to the flesh – taking stock of their strengths, weaknesses, abilities and limitations – and not looking to Christ. Or they are looking at the difficulty of their circumstances. Either way, they are not looking to Christ. In short, they are saying ‘I can’t’ , instead of realizing that whether they can or can’t has nothing to do with it. Christ will give us the strength and ability we need to obey Him. The only way we will ever be able to take great steps of faith is to look to Christ and not self. Are you willing to step out of the boat?