Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
– Matthew 14:22-24 (ESV)
Interesting contrasts here: Jesus is alone on the mountain, praying in solitude and peace. Night is falling, and his followers find themselves out in the middle of the lake, beaten by the waves. The wind is against them. They were experienced fishermen and were no doubt used to situations such as this, but as night fell I would imagine they were feeling some anxiety. I personally would have been terrified. That wind! It had set itself against these men in their little boat, and it was blowing hard.
My guess is that they were wishing Jesus was with them. They had seen him take authority over the wind and the waves before.
But, even as far away as they thought he was, it’s not like this situation was beyond him.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But 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 heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
– Matthew 14:25-27 (ESV)
I love the disciples! First wind, then waves, and now . . . A GHOST!!! AAAAHHHHHH!!!!
What would it have been like to spend time with these guys? I can’t imagine! But I digress. The bit that really hits me is this:
Don’t be afraid. Jesus is here. Notice that the wind and the waves were still blasting away. Take heart. Jesus is the rock, the cornerstone, the foundation. There is nothing stronger than him, least of all these wet, messy waves and this breeze on steroids.
And, all kidding aside, these men really were scared. They were crying out in fear — have you been in a situation like that before? I’m sure some of you have. Perhaps even now. You and I may not be panicking out loud, but behind our calm demeanors our hearts often cry out in fear. The winds of circumstance, the cursed ground we live on, and our own sin that follows us all have “set themselves against us.” Sometimes I want to run screaming.
And Jesus says “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Lord, I won’t be afraid, if you provide the courage. I have none on my own.
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
– Matthew 14:28-33 (ESV)
Yes, he is!
I love Peter. We ridicule him sometimes from our safe perches here in the 21st century, and, I might add, with a relationship with the Lord made “safe” (we think) by the fact that we can’t see him or touch him. But I can’t help but love Peter. I don’t see a record here of any of the other disciples stepping out of the boat. Peter did it. If even for just a few seconds, he committed his all in faith to the Lord. And when he started to sink he didn’t act according to that famous pride we often (wrongly, I think) ascribe to him. He reached out to Jesus and called upon him for salvation, and there you have the only right answer to the central question of life. Peter, you get an “A”. May I be more like you were, on my journey of becoming more like Jesus is. May I feel the electric thrill of faith in action as the soles of my feet touch onto the thrashing waves and my Lord fills all my vision.
Truly he is the Son of God!