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Jesus Walks on the Water by Fr. Reid Hensarling
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus’ walking on the water is linked closely with the preceding story of the miraculous feeding in Matthew, Mark, and John. Also remember Jesus’ stilling of the storm in Matthew 8:23-27, another nature miracle. His walking on the water is thus presented, like the other nature miracles, as a practical response to a difficult situation rather than as a wonder performed for its own sake. Matthew is the only gospel writer who includes Peter’s desire to walk on water too.
Jesus compels the disciples to get into the boat and go before him to the other side of the lake. This would be the west side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus goes into the mountain to pray to his Heavenly Father. Solitary prayer in Jesus’ life is very important and a way to get away from the crowds and find solace and strength with his Father. After spending much time in prayer, Jesus goes to his disciples. It was very late (the fourth watch of the night is from 3-6 am). Meanwhile, a strong wind was blowing and the disciples’ boat was tossed by the waves and faced a head wind. They battled the bad weather all night and were tired. Jesus walks on the water to them, but they were terrified because they believed was physically impossible for a person to walk on water. They thought it was a ghost and cried out in terror. Jesus relieved their understandable fear by indicating it was he. The disciples were scared and in need of assurance. Jesus was present with them now and there was no reason to fear.
The wonderfully daring and impetuous Peter asks Jesus if he can come and walk on the water to him. Jesus has authority to share with someone else his miraculous ability to walk on the water and so says yes to Peter, who gets out of the boat. It took great courage for him to venture out towards Jesus. He walks towards Jesus, but when he sees the wind, he becomes afraid, and then begins to sink. Peter allowed the wind to weigh more heavily than the power and presence of Jesus. Peter began in faith, but his faith wavered, and he began to sink. We will only grow strong in faith when we keep our eyes on Jesus, the source of our faith, and do not turn aside to worry or be anxious over threatening circumstances. He cries out to Jesus who saves him from sinking (see Psalm 18:16; 144:7). Jesus chastises him for doubting. Doubt means to be divided in two. True faith is single-mindedly focused on Jesus. Problems in life arise when doubt replaces trust.
Incredibly, when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Jesus’ power over the sea was extraordinary. The disciples were amazed and worshiped him. They certainly were impressed with his awesome display of power and authority. They make a very strong theological statement by saying, “Truly you are the Son of God (verse 33).
What is faith? Faith is not merely knowing that Jesus is the Son of God and believing that he can save us from sin, but actually committing ourselves to him. We need to trust in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world. We must step out toward him in faith and trust him with our very lives. Our faith is often undermined by difficult circumstances or by tragedies in life. Keep your eyes on the Savior and do not turn to the left or to the right. When Peter turned his eyes away from the Lord, he began to sink. We will too unless we keep our eyes on Jesus. Recall how Jesus was there to save Peter, and He will do the same for us when we cry out for help to Him. Trust in the Lord!!
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