What do you think Jesus is trying to teach us? Why did God add this for generations to read?
This walking on water happened the morning after he made it possible for his disciples to feed the 5,000. You can go revisit that post here. The disciples are out on the lake, Jesus went to pray on the mountain. After praying he meets them, walking on the lake. When they saw him they took him for a ghost and were afraid. But Jesus tells them not to fear but to take courage. “It is I”, he says. We will pick it up in verse 28 to the end of the chapter.
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
First and foremost, I think the purpose of seeing this is to give God glory and to show that Jesus truly is the Son of God. If you don’t get anything else from this story – get that! Honestly, there is a lot packed into these 9 verses. Here below are some statements and questions to consider.
- Peter first asked, Jesus then called, “come”.
- Peter walked on water! If Jesus calls you to come and walk on water – you can walk on water.
- Peter feared and began to sink. This ability was also dependent on Peter’s faith.
- Peter called out to Jesus, “Lord, save me.” Jesus saves him, pulls him out.
- Jesus’ statement reveals that Peter’s fear was truly a lack of faith and doubt.
I cannot provide a detailed outline as to how faith works. All I know is faith matters and is vital. We have freewill to walk in the faith he gives us or fear and doubt. Can you think of other cases throughout scripture when unbelief had a consequence? I recall a story noting that Jesus couldn’t do many miracles because of their unbelief, yet he still healed a few (see Mark 6:4-13). How about the man’s epileptic demon possessed son, in Matthew 17, a demon that Jesus’ disciples “couldn’t” drive out – why? Jesus says it was because of their [the Disciples] unbelief. It seems to me the moment unbelief sets in; we possibly forfeit some of the opportunities God has provided in working the works of Christ. It clearly was God’s will to heal the young boy, otherwise Jesus wouldn’t have healed him. So it wasn’t a question of God’s will. It was a lack of faith within his disciples. This makes me wonder how many times we as Christians have said, “it wasn’t God’s will” when it actually was. Sometimes Jesus is gracious enough to step in and heal, even when our faith is lacking. But in this case, the boy had to wait a little longer simply due to a lack of faith with the disciples.
Evidence that Jesus is God?
Jesus reached out and caught him. They got into the boat and Jesus, the Son of God, was worshipped. Yes, the Bible is very clear, only worship God. Anytime people worshipped angels the angels would stop them. But Jesus doesn’t stop the worship given him. If Jesus wasn’t God, why does he accept the worship? Following this they get out of the boat and Jesus is recognized and the sick begged to simply touch his cloak and all who did were healed.
Imagine instead of one body you were born with two or three, not twins or triplets, but a multi-bodied person. And each of your bodies was connected to your one spirit and soul. Would not each of those bodies manifest you? Each one being, you? And though you have multiple bodies you remain one Spirit. This isn’t a claim to how things work, just a thought as we begin to navigate into some biblical truths.
Here are some more questions:
- Did the Spirit of God in his fullness live in Jesus?
- Is God powerful enough for his Spirit to fully indwell multiple hosts?
- Was the burning bush in Exodus God?
Jesus is and has always been perfect, he is the Son of God, whom God was please to dwell. Jesus was before all things prior to being manifested in human form. The Spirit that lives in Jesus is the Spirit of God. God remains one! For God is Spirit and this who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth. (John 4:24)
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell Colossians 1:19
With consideration of this walking on water event, has God through his word asked you to do something that seems impossible?
- Have you ever tried to do that thing.
- If so, what may happen if you have doubt?
- What are you truly doubting? Who are you doubting? Who is your faith in?
- Have you made excuses outside of your faithlessness?
How did Jesus respond to the doubt with Peter? He asked him why. Maybe we should take that same response and apply it to our walk. Knowing God has called us to do some things that seems impossible, why do we doubt? Why do we fear, what do we fear? What is the driving source behind our lack of faith? Is it pride or fear?
We have been called to live righteous, redeemed, sanctified and with his love in our hearts for our neighbors – is it impossible? Or is it possible in Christ? Have you set your mind to believe that all things are possible through Christ?
May God give us faith to believe what he has already spoken, and the things he has already declared we ought to walk in.
