The Miracles of Jesus Part 20 - Jesus Walks on Water

Matthew 14: 22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21. A little faith can be weak and can be strong, at the same time. Move beyond your doubts.

Apr 3, 2023

“Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 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 courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!””

Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭22‬-‭33‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭45‬-‭52‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬-‭21‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

I love the painting I found to use with this devotional. Yongsung Kim is a fantastic Christian artist and his work can be found here. Our previous church (ELCA) did do something right by sometimes using this as a bulletin cover at the appropriate point in the church year. I’m going to concentrate on the Matthew version, which has Peter taking a “leap of faith” and walking on the water briefly until he is frightened by the wind and his little faith fails him (some good commentary on that later).

An interesting side note right now: I’m writing this in the hospital (I started it a couple of days ago). We were on a camping trip and I started getting some very painful symptoms so we cut the trip short and came back so that I could be near home (and Steve could be home with our kitties). I went to an off-house emergency center at my health care provider, which turned into an ambulance ride to a nearby hospital, culminating in a surgery near midnight last night to drain a severely infected abdominal abscess. I was checked in and today have received several IVs, including strong antibiotics. I’m feeling better, but an infection like this is not something to mess around with. Quite honestly, I’m like Peter right now, sunk below the waves because my faith is a little unsteady; I’m reaching up to the Lord and praying, praying for healing and for Him to lift me out of this.

Back to the miracle: So, the hard-hearted disciples (as noted in Mark), who are also knuckleheads (I don’t know what it takes to convince some people - they believe but they have short-term memories for miracles), go ahead of Jesus in a boat. They just watched Him turn two small fish and five barley loaves into a feast for probably 20,000 people. Unfortunately, the people gathered there want to crown Him King (according to John) so Jesus immediately dispatches the disciples to the west side in a boat. He retreats to pray. The disciples are battered by waves again on that tricky Sea, struggling to keep water out and steer the boat.

Suddenly, a figure is seen in the distance walking on the water. The figure appears to be heading towards them and may be passing them. They are terrified and think it is a ghost. They cry out and Jesus responds (in Matthew): “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid”. Peter answers Jesus: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Jesus tells him to come. This is an extraordinary response by Peter. If you recall, the disciples had recently returned from their two-by-two sojourns to various regions and were given powers to heal and tongues to teach. I think Peter is hoping this supernatural power extends now to his ability to follow the Lord and walk on water.

This itinerant fisherman has looked into those waters for a long time and has walked in its shallows (his age at this time he is recruited is not really known). He likely never entertained the thought, even in his wildest dreams, that he could walk on water. He bravely gets out of the boat and begins walking towards Jesus, likely feeling a deep sense of faith and awe. But like all of us, he looks away from Jesus briefly, suddenly fearful of the worldly distraction, the boisterous wind, and he sinks below the surface. He calls out to the Lord to save him. Jesus grabs his hand and says to him: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”. The rest look at Him in worship, saying that He is surely the Son of God.

text — Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

David Guzik, from Enduring Word commentary, has some extraordinary insight into the little faith of Peter:

Peter here shows us the weakness of little faith.
Little faith is often found in places where we might expect great faith.
Little faith is far too eager for signs.
Little faith is apt to have too high an opinion of its own power.
Little faith is too much affected by it surroundings.
Little faith is too quick to exaggerate the peril.
Yet Peter also shows us some of the strengths of little faith.
Little faith is true faith.
Little faith will obey the word of Jesus.
Little faith struggles to come to Jesus.
Little faith will accomplish great things for a time.
Little faith will pray when it is in trouble.
Little faith is safe, because Jesus is near.

I love this, knowing that I have a “little faith”, especially right now in my current circumstances. I’m exaggerating my peril and am concerned about a more serious issue that could develop with a bad infection. I’m focusing on my surroundings (it’s the hospital, with interruptions every ten minutes). I’m looking for a sign. BUT…I’m also praying, praying and praying and know that I am safe, because Jesus is near. The trials could deepen, like the depths of the Sea, but I know in my heart that He is always with us.

So why do we doubt? Again, Guzik has some commentary that I think knocks it out of the ballpark:

“Doubt is literally ‘be divided in two’; true faith is single-mindedly focused on Jesus.” (R.T. France)
“If you believe a thing you want evidence, and before you doubt a thing you ought to have evidence too. To believe without evidence is to be credulous, and to doubt without evidence is to be foolish. We should have ground for our doubts as well as a basis for our faith.” (Charles Spurgeon)
We can say that in theory, there might be reasons for doubting Jesus and His promises.
If on former occasions, you have found God unfaithful to His promise.
If some old follower of Jesus has solemnly told you that God cannot be trusted.
If your problem is a new one and so extremely difficult that it is certain that God cannot help you.
If God has abolished His promises, and made them no longer valid.
If God has changed.
“Our doubts are unreasonable: ‘Wherefore didst though doubt?’ If there be reason for little faith, there is evidently reason for great confidence. If it be right to trust Jesus at all, why not trust him altogether?” (Spurgeon)
It is useful for us to confront our doubts.
Was there good reason for your doubt?
Was there any good excuse for it?
Did any good come from your doubt?

There’s never a good reason for doubt, there is no good excuse for it, and nothing good can come from doubt. Confront your doubts and abide in His unchanging ways, His power and in His promises that are good!

So let’s summarize this miracle:

Jesus walks on water: Jesus again demonstrates mastery over creation by walking on deep waters. His disciples don’t initially recognize Him, but when they do, Peter wants to join Him (Matthew account). Peter walks in faith a short distance, then is distracted by a worldly fear (the wind). Jesus grabs him to help home and asks him why he has so little faith and is full of doubts. The disciples declare Him the son of God.

My next devotional examines the healing of many sick people in Gennesaret when they touch His garment, as noted in Matthew and Mark.

Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:

Dear Lord: Help me with my little faith and my doubts to know that you are with me, even in challenging circumstances. Please bring your healing powers so that my health can be restored or help me to rest in your strength if healing is delayed. Amen.

Commentary by David Guzik from Enduring Word is used with written permission.

The Miracle List:

Water to wine: Jesus can overcome time, He creates beauty and abundance, and He shares in our joy.
Healing of the official’s son: Jesus can overcome space (distance), He does not need to see the person He heals, He has infinite power, but He also wants us to believe without signs and wonders.
Casting out of the evil spirit in the synagogue: The authority of Jesus is recognized by the demons and He triumphs over evil and silences it.
Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law: Jesus does not need crowds to demonstrate His power and He has compassion about the needs of one person, even if those needs seem smaller and only worthy of a couple of verses of scripture.
Healing and casting out demons of many in Capernaum (at Peter’s house): Jesus has compassion on all who come to Him and has no conditions that He places on giving them His mercy. He can heal instantly with a light touch and again demonstrates authority over demons and silences them.
Miraculous catch of fish on the Sea of Galilee: Jesus demonstrates His powers over His creation, He once again brings abundance, and He teaches humble fishermen that their task of bringing souls to Him is the most important thing they can do. They must follow Him.
Cleansing of the Leper: Jesus is willing to heal us, is compassionate towards those who suffer and can instantly cure a dreadful and feared disease. We must have faith when circumstances seem hopeless.
Healing of the Centurion’s Servant: Jesus came so that anyone who believes on His name is saved, Jew or Gentile. One of the most humble and devout persons that He encounters during His ministry is a Roman Centurion who cares and loves a servant who is sick or paralyzed. Jesus has instant authority over this illness, again eliminating space (distance) as a barrier to healing; He also marvels at this man’s faith.
Healing of the paralytic passed through the roof: Jesus demonstrates His ultimate authority as the Son of God to forgive sins and to heal a condition that seems irreversible. He can sense and read the hearts and thoughts of others. He turns a major disruption into a lesson on forgiveness. The friends of the paralytic show tremendous faith in how they solve this problem.
Healing of the withered hand on the Sabbath: Jesus can instantaneously heal a chronic condition, restoring a hand to full function. The man he heals exhibits great faith in His ability to heal and obeys Him. Jesus also challenges the assumptions and rules that have taken the place of faith and wisdom in the hearts of the Pharisees and Scribes. His anger is righteous; their rage is murderous.
Raising of the widow’s son from death: Jesus is filled with compassion for the suffering and grief of others. He has power over death and can restore us to joy and hope in the face of a hopeless situation. His endless grace and the power of His word are sufficient. We are to spring into action, serving Him and bringing His hope to the hopeless.
Taming the storm on the Sea: Jesus has the unlimited power to tame nature and He calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee instantly. His disciples, after seeing one miracle after another before this, are struck with memory loss when this crisis hits and forget that He is the Creator of the Universe and creation will obey Him. Jesus is there in the storms of life for those who believe on His name.
Casting demons into a herd of pigs: Jesus has the ultimate authority over evil and demons must have His permission to even enter into animals that immediately die. Demon possession is a real thing, but is likely rare and would not occur in a believer who is under the power of the Holy Spirit. We should not get so comfortable with evil surrounding us that we are fearful of holiness and good. Jesus wants us to tell others about His power and healing and to be without superstitions.
Healing of a woman with a bleeding disorder: Jesus knows when His healing powers are used and, with great love and compassion, tells this daughter of the Kingdom that her faith has made her well. Casual contact with Jesus doesn’t save us. We are saved by coming to Him with everything (sins, sufferings, distractions, hopes, and belief). Jesus cleanses and revives us!
Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus from the dead: Jesus, the Son of God, has power over life and death. His power is infinite - healing can come from a touch of His garment or a touch from His hands. His compassion is infinite. His words can bring a person back to life and He knows for those who believe that death is just sleep. Just as in His time, our age is filled with mockers and scorners and we must pray for those lost souls.
Jesus heals two blind men: Faith and persistence leads to miracles. Jesus extends mercy and compassion to those who are suffering and recognize Him as the Messiah, by healing two blind men who follow Him.
A mute demoniac is healed and speaks: Jesus has ultimate authority over evil and easily casts out a demon, allowing a man to finally speak. The Pharisees are not impressed and accuse Him of being a demon. As He continues His ministry and healings, He laments the lack of harvesters.
A man is healed by Jesus by the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath: Jesus homes in on a man among the many who has hopelessly waited for healing in the pool for 38 years. He asks him if he wants healing, then tells him to stand, take up his pallet, and walk. We are all waiting for something, but we should stop waiting and be actively seeking Him in our everyday lives through our worship and prayers. Human-made rules and rituals can separate us from our Creator, who is working to sustain us and His creation.
The feeding of the 5000+: Jesus is compassionate and involves his believers in provided abundance. Nothing is too meager or small for the Lord to use in a big way. The disciples continue to look for worldly answers to solve problems and He points them, once again, to His supernatural abilities. People are physically hungry and God’s resources should not be wasted. The Word is also needed to feed the masses spiritually.
Jesus walks on water: Jesus again demonstrates mastery over creation by walking on deep waters. His disciples don’t initially recognize Him, but when they do, Peter wants to join Him (Matthew account). Peter walks in faith a short distance, then is distracted by a worldly fear (the wind). Jesus grabs him to help home and asks him why he has so little faith and is full of doubts. The disciples declare Him the son of God.