Walking on the Sea

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 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. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God. —Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV)

I love the way scripture is opened up to us differently every day. I love each new glimpse of Christ. I love the reassurance it gives me that I am His as He reveals Himself to me. I’m not going to try to explain this passage, only the little glimpse I saw in it this morning.

In the Old Testament, the sea is representative of turmoil and distress, danger and even death. We are baptized under water as a symbol of death to self and sin, of new life as participants of Christ’s death and resurrection.

And in this encounter between Jesus and his disciples, they are “beaten by the waves”... “a long way from land”...“with the wind against them.” They are in a sea of danger and distress, and then they see Christ. They should be overjoyed, but they are terrified. He is doing the unthinkable, the impossible. He is walking above the sea.

All are in doubt, but Peter expresses it aloud, “Lord, if it is you...” Christ, whose first words were encouragement, now calls Peter to himself. Peter “came to Jesus” but then he “sees the wind” and starts to sink. And of all the things Jesus could have said at this time, why does He ask Peter, “why did you doubt?”

We are often caught up in seas. And we think that our little boats are all that stand between us and destruction. But that’s not true. God Himself upholds us. Look at Paul’s many shipwrecks and you will see that God is not adverse to removing the very boats out from under us if it will help us to cling to Him.

It is possible to walk above our fears, to take courage, to trust Him. It is not easy or natural, but it is possible. I want to walk on the sea, too.