When you believe

When you believe

Matthew 14: 22-33

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus had just fed five thousand people. Actually, there were more than this because this was the number of men, there were women and children there too. He sent the disciples ahead of him.  They crossed the lake in the boat while Jesus went off to pray.  He was going to follow them on foot walking around the northern end of the lake.

One of those nasty squalls came up.  The disciples, experienced fishermen, respected the sea, but at times were frightened by, the sea.  Last time this had happened Jesus had been in the boat with them – he calmed the storm, but now they were on their own.  Or were they?  They may have felt alone, but Jesus was looking down on them, he saw them from the hillside. They were never out of his sight.  Jesus saw them in trouble.  The boat was buffeted by the waves, and in Mark’s account Jesus saw them straining at the oars. Jesus might have recalled that time when he stilled the waves for them and so he came across the stormy waters to meet them, walking on the water.

Of course, no one would expect to see someone walking on the water and so the disciples were afraid.    If we read the story carefully, we notice that the disciples were afraid of what they thought was the appearance of an evil spirit coming towards them in the night.  They feared the spirit would bring imminent disaster. Had they forgotten Jesus??

But, this miracle emphasises Jesus’ divinity.  The Old Testament depicts God coming through the waters; Psalm 77 speaks of God walking through the waters bringing his people through the Red Sea and out of slavery.  The disciples cried out in fear but Jesus called out “It is I”, alluding to God’s conversation with Moses through the burning bush.

Whether Peter recognised these Old Testament links or whether he simply recognised Jesus’ voice we do not know.  What we do know is that he did recognise Jesus and wanted to be with him.  Peter fixes his eyes on Jesus, jumps out of the boat, and also walks on the water.  That was his miracle.  But we are told he looked at the wind and the waves and began to sink.  He’d taken his eyes off Jesus.

Life on earth is not plain sailing.  We do get blown off course from time to time.  We strain at the oars of life, to try and get ourselves back on course. If we forget that Jesus is with us, that, can be scary.  Like the frightened disciples, all we may be able to see is imminent disaster.

We are never alone.  Jesus looks on.  He even comes across the stormy waters to meet us.  And it’s great if we can recognise Jesus when life is stormy, when life is hard and when it’s frightening.  If, like Peter, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus we will perform miracles of our own.  But woe betides us if we think these miracles are of our own making, or if we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the storms of life.  It’s then that we will sink, drowning in our sorrow and fear, drowning in the trust we place in ourselves.  We may think that we are invincible, that we achieve what we achieve because of our own efforts. However, all we achieve is through the power of the Holy Spirit working through us (Zachariah 4:6).

Remember Jesus has been there before us.  He’s been concerned for his family and friends.  He has been frightened – frightened for his life.  He has been unjustly accused, humiliated.  He is the one who was sacrificed – for our sins.  Yet through that sacrifice he provides the bridge over troubled waters that if we take it will lead us to the place God has promised us.