Matthew 14:22-33 NIV
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
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.”
Matthew contains this unforgettable story that captures our attention. Jesus had just fed the five thousand an amazing miracle, but this one is particularly astounding: Jesus walking on the water. The disciples were understandably terrified, but there’s something so dramatic about the details that come next.
You have the storm element. You have the disciples believing that they’re seeing a ghost. You also have a powerful and intimate moment with Peter and Jesus. All of these would form an exciting story on their own.
First, Jesus reassures the disciples not to fear. Peter, even when filled with fear, he cries to the Lord that “if it is you, call me to come on the water.” There is no doubt that Peter had to have faith in Christ to ask for this thing. The rema word (or spoken word) to Peter is only one word: come.
At this, Peter got out and walked on the water. We would think his excitement would be electrifying, but doubt entered when he focused on the storm around him. Peter cried out again (this time for help) and the Lord rescued him.
When we respond to the rema word, the Lord becomes responsible for our safety. In Peter’s case, once they were back in the boat the storm ended. Jesus cares that we succeed and when we respond to his call, He will see to it that His Will will succeed. I pray that when the Lord speaks, we will respond, for what a great work could be done!
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