Walk on Water
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Why Walk on the Water?
Why Walk on the Water?
Like so many of the miracles of the Bible people us the tag 'unscientific' (whatever that means) they lose their power if its just picture language. I think this is historic for a number of reasons. It attested in 3 of the gospels. It made an impression because Jesus was saying something for his disciples about faith both then and now.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
The disciples face difficulties in the boat, even though Jesus has sent them. Its not like the Christian life is simple - without problem. Often the greatest movements of God come hand in hand with the strongest opposition.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
The Lord of creation reconsitutes it so he can walk apon it. He had being praying late into the night.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
At the resurrection there is no suggestion that Jesus was a ghost. It just wasnt they way he 'appeared' to them.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus is reassuring. He knows they might be afraid
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Could this mean I AM? (ἐγώ εἰμι = I Am) Matthew's Jewish readesr would have picked up on this reference to I AM. Self identifying himself
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
Peter needed to know, to make a double confirmation, it was really Jesus. 'Let me do as you do ...'
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
Peter is well up for it. he likes a challenge. Extreme sport, adrenalin junkie?
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
His voice was enough. It is a mad thing to say though. In the wind and possibly rain. Come walk with me out on the water.
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
It started well. He did what Jesus asked. He was actually walking on water. He was doing as Jesus did. Jesus didn't calm the storm, he met Peter in it. The storm does pass but onlywhen theystep into the boat together.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
But then reality kicks in. He sees the opposition, the wind and, I assume, the waves. He was distracted. What fears distract us – the natural surroundings? Other people? The circumstance of life? Relationships that are unhealthy? FOMO? We look at the wind not at the one who created the universe.
Peter’s failure came as he observed the wind (), looking to the natural circumstances rather than to God’s power that was sustaining him
Keener, C. S. (2009). The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (p. 407). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Saw the wind? Seeing what makes one aware of the wind. His fear becomes a self fulfilling prophesy until Jesus takes hold of him
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Jesus caught him straight away. He didn't let him fall.
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Then he asks. 'to be of a divided mind'.
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Like the wind again was at his command
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Well what would you do?
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.