Lessons from the Gospels – Jesus walks on water, Peter doesn’t

Previously, we discussed Luke 8:22-25, where Jesus calmed a storm and the disciples asked, “Who is this?” because He commanded even the wind and water.

Today, let’s look at another storm incident.

Matthew 14:22-33 [NKJV] 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind [was] boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out [His] hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

There is so much we can learn from these two incidences, but I’ll stick to one key point: We cannot walk above the storms of life unless our eyes are firmly fixed on Jesus who is there to either hold our hands or calm the storm.

In the first case, Jesus immediately calmed the storm. In the second, He walked above the stormy waters. Peter wanted to do that too. He couldn’t because he focused on the storm, rather than the One who could control it.

Storms are an inevitable and natural product of nature, whether short, gentle rains, or those that include gale-force winds, boat-swamping waves, deafening thunder and destructive lightning. Same with our spiritual lives.

A friend of mine just lost her battle against the hurricane of a sudden cancer that took her out in a matter of months between diagnosis and death. She held His hand to walk through it. He chose not to calm the storm, but instead brought her to the sleep of death so that she might await that new life in eternity with Him.

I know people locked in a storm of MS and other incurable, progressive diseases, which include the constant threat of a storm surge when things flare up.  They know they must hold His hand each day the storms both small and great or be swamped by the waves.

I know people whose children are themselves in danger of drowning in choppy seas of their own creation due to sin and the resulting struggles. When your child (even a grown adult one) is struggling in a stormy sea of life, you, as a parent, taste that salty water too.

And then there are the regular rains of everyday life’s struggles against sin, that can also cause us to pitch out of the boat and into the deep if we do not grab the hand of Jesus when we are falling.

How often do I get caught up in the storms of life, desperately swimming when there is a hand I could be holding in order to walk above the fray?  

Sweet sisters, ultimately, there is no surviving past all of the storms of life. None of us make it through life alive. And none of us will face only calm waters along the way.

Praise God, we walk this walk knowing that forecast of our futures is for still waters that last all eternity.

But right now, we don’t always know what kind of rough seas lie ahead for us or when the storms will hit.

In times of quiet, we must ensure we are in His boat, moving forward to His goals for us in this life and in the next.

Then, when we are bid to walk out onto stormy seas, we better have our hand in His, looking at only Him. Although we will not be oblivious to the storm, we can walk above it, eyes locked on the Calmer of Storms, who commands the winds and rain.

Storms don’t mean He isn’t in control. They mean it is time to walk on the water with our Savior.

Last Sabbath, we sang the song “Oceans” (Hillsong), which calls to mind Matthew 14:22-23.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

If you haven’t been called to out of the boat and into the choppy sea yet, you will be at some point. And whether He then calms the sea or leads you across it, hold firmly to the Savior’s hand. He is yours and you are His.

In His presence, your faith will be stronger, and you will walk on water toward a future of rest in forever calm seas.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me now in the comments section or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org