When we read the encounter of Jesus walking on water, our logical response is, how could this be. How can a human being walk on water? Throughout our lifetimes, we learned that gravity would not allow a person to walk on water. You might say that Jesus was not a mere man. You are correct, but he was the son of God in an earth suit like the one we wear given to mortality – even death.
The fact that Jesus Christ was still wearing mortality leads me to believe God’s objective is to teach us a different principle. At this point, scripture does not give us any indication that the disciples fully grasped the identity of Jesus. To reinforce, my suspicion Peter, one of the disciples, joined him on the water and proceeded to walk on water with Jesus. To the degree that Peter had faith in Jesus, he too walked on water.
After a day of ministry, Jesus compelled his disciples to leave him with the crowd that had just seen the miraculous feeding of over 5,000 persons from a small lunch that a young boy offered to the disciples. Instead of joining them, he told them that he would join them later as they traveled to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. In the meantime, Jesus followed his often documented routine. He climbed the mountain to meet with his father.
Jesus appeared between the hours of 3 am, and 6 am walking on water. Peter sees him and, in fear, asks him to prove that He was Jesus. Jesus said, “Come.” Peter responds by immediately leaving the eleven and joins Jesus as he, Peter, walks on water towards him.
God calls us to be like Peter. Once assured that it is Christ, our immediate response should be to leave the others and pursue Christ. It does not matter the tumultuous of the terrain. It only matters that Jesus said, “Come.” Peter had the faith to go beyond his comfort zone and pursue the vision that Christ presented to him. The possibility of the miraculous – walking on water, overcoming the logical and the predictable to do something that he had never experienced.
Are there situations in life that seem impossible for you, yet you hear God calling you to leave the boat and walk with him? Once you get out of the boat, learn from Peter. No matter how stormy the wind is, if you have faith to keep your eyes on Jesus and not become afraid, you can walk on water. Do not let fear, shame, or pride keep you from crying out to Jesus if you lose focus. He is there waiting to lift you out so that together to can fulfill your purpose. For with Jesus, all things are possible to them that believe (Mark 9:23).
Daily Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called each of us to a particular assignment based on our uniqueness and the specificity of your plan and your purposes (Jeremiah 29:11). We hear you as you bid us come. Today, we respond in trust to your will for our lives. We thank you, heavenly Father, that you will never leave us or forsake us, and you created us to join you on the waters of life no matter how turbulent the wind as long as we keep our faith in you, we will not sink but if we do thank you for picking us up so that we can begin anew. Amen.
Daily Scripture
Matthew 4: 22-32 (NKJV)And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.