In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22 to 33, we are presented with the remarkable account of Jesus walking on water. This event unfolds after Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, a miraculous display of his divine power. Following this, he instructs his disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, while he dismisses the crowds.
After the crowds have dispersed, Jesus goes up on a mountainside by himself to pray. As evening approaches and the disciples are already far out on the sea, Jesus remains there in prayer. The disciples are struggling against the wind and the waves, and around the fourth watch of the night (between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.), Jesus goes out to them, walking on the water. His disciples see him walking on the water and are terrified, thinking it’s a ghost. They cry out in fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, always impulsive yet full of faith, responds, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus says, “Come.” And Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water toward Jesus. However, when he sees the wind, he becomes afraid and, beginning to sink, cries out, “Lord, save me!”
Instantly Jesus reaches out his hand and catches him. “You of little faith,” he says, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
This story is a powerful illustration of faith and doubt. Peter’s initial faith allowed him to step out of the boat and walk on water, something no human could naturally do. But as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the circumstances around him—the wind and the waves—his faith wavered, and he began to sink. Jesus’ response to Peter highlights the importance of keeping our faith in him, even in the midst of trials and difficulties.
The disciples’ reaction at the end of the story is also significant. Their worship of Jesus as the Son of God shows that this event further confirmed their belief in his divinity. It was a tangible demonstration of Jesus’ authority over nature, reinforcing the message that he is not just a great teacher or prophet, but the Messiah, the Son of God.
This miracle also serves as a reminder to us today. In our lives, we may face situations that seem impossible, like the disciples facing the stormy sea. But when we put our faith in Jesus and keep our focus on him, we can experience his power and presence in our lives. Just as Jesus walked on water, he can help us navigate through the storms of life, if we trust in him.
This article is one of the stories from the Bible. You can click here to view the list of Stories in the Bible.
Tags: disciples, Faith, Jesus, miracle, Sea of Galilee
This passage from Matthew is truly inspiring. It shows that with faith in Jesus, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The imagery of Jesus walking on water and Peter’s attempt to do the same is so vivid and full of meaning. It’s a great reminder to keep our focus on Jesus in the midst of life’s storms.