Matthew part 24

Walking on Water

As we close this chapter of Matthew, we are really only looking at one particular miracle, but it has a profound impact on our faith if we can recognize exactly what is happening in the story. Before we read, let’s consider the context of this passage. We have just seen Jesus feed 5,000 people with only a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. The disciples took up the remains gathering 12 baskets full of leftovers. This miracle was an object lesson for the disciples, and us by extension.

Jesus demonstrated our source for life, strength and perseverance is found in God.

We also saw how this miracle (and the one that follows) occurred just after Jesus learned about John the Baptist’s death. In one Jesus’ dark days, when he could have been mourning, there was no time. The mission of God would continue, and Jesus would remain faithful to that mission. Of course, we also know that Jesus did not really need to mourn the loss of John, because John was in heaven doing just fine. The crowds needed Jesus, not John.

Now, after the disciples gathered the leftovers, Jesus will send the disciples out to sea to go ahead of him. He will tend to the crowds, and then head to a mountain top to pray. He will finally get a little rest. Let’s continue reading.

Learning to Walk on Water | Matthew 14:22-36

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. 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.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.”

Matthew 14:22-29

Jesus dismisses the crowds and heads to a mountain to pray. The disciples have already been sent out to cross the sea. When he finishes his prayer time, it is now the fourth watch of the night—some time between 3am and sunrise.

When the disciples see Jesus, they believe he must be a ghost. What else can you conclude when you see someone walking on water during a storm? But Jesus offers a reply that is a little humorous. “Don’t worry, it’s just me.”

Peter answers with some boldness. He asks for himself to walk out on the water. Jesus’ answer is once again laced with humor. “Come.” It is a bold request with a generous answer. If Peter is willing to get out of the boat, Jesus is willing to help him walk on the water.

There is a book called If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg that is based on this premise:

If we hope to accomplish great things, even miraculous things, for God, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones.

Consider for a moment, Peter is the only one willing to get out of the boat. Whatever may happen in the story, never forget only Peter had the boldness to try walking on water. And even later in the gospel, when we read about Peter denying Christ during the trial, we cannot forget, at this moment, he is willing to step out. The story of Peter is the story of many great Christians. It is filled with spiritual highs and deep lows. And while we may struggle in our faith, if we are willing to ask, God will give us opportunities to step out of the boat and do something amazing.

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.”

And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Matthew 29-36

Can you imagine being in Peter’s shoes? You have just made a ridiculously bold request, “Let me walk on the water with you.” Jesus complies, and you step out. Instead of your foot sinking quickly into the water, you only feel solid ground. You walk towards Jesus as he smiles at your faith and boldness.

But then, the wind blows harder. The waves seem to crash louder. You take your eyes off Jesus, and your faith flounders a bit. Instead of a hard surface, your foot feels like it’s sinking into mud. You realize you are about to sink into the water. In this dark, fearful moment, you cry out to the Lord. He grabs you by the hand pulling you back up to the hard water surface. And as you look him again, he asks, “Why did you doubt?”

What do you say to that? What can you say? “I know you had me, but the waves just seemed too scary. I believed, but then I couldn’t believe it!”

They return to the boat, and the storm subsides. The other disciples can’t believe what they have just witnessed. Now, they have no choice but to believe. This must be the Son of God!

The development of faith within the disciples demonstrates the process that we can experience in our own lives. When we start following Christ, we will be like the disciples with Jesus as the crowds began to grow. We will see the mission that needs done, but unable to understand how it can be done. If we continue to follow in faith, Jesus will demonstrate his ability to supply our needs—as in feeding the 5000. Then, when we are sent on our own, we will encounter some storm or trial. Jesus will be with us, but it may be difficult to discern his presence (i.e. they think he’s a ghost). That is the moment we have a decision to make.

Faith comes when we are willing to step out of the boat and into the storm.

Look again at the series of events. The storm comes, and Jesus is out to sea. When does the storm finally cease? It is only after Peter walks with Jesus, and they return to the boat.

For many of us, we ask God to take care of the storm while we stay in our boats. We have our safe little comfort zones, our little place in the kingdom, and then a storm threatens our safe spot. It could be any number of things—financial instability, job instability, family emergency, or for the farmers, it may be a literal storm that is threatening crops or animals. We become like the other disciples who stayed in the boat hoping Jesus would take care of the storm.

But what Jesus wants from us is to be like Peter—to be willing to step out of the boat and walk with him in the midst of the wind and waves. Jesus is calling us to a great task, but we cannot accomplish it hanging out in the boat.

Great acts of faith and kingdom work do not occur inside the boat; they occur in the storm.

After they return to shore, word spreads again that Jesus has come to town. The men of Gennesaret send for all the sick and ask only that the sick are allowed to touch Jesus’ clothes. They believe they can be healed if only they can touch the hem of his clothing—and they are!

Rather than just see this verse as a tagline to end the narrative discourse, perhaps it would help to see it as the aftermath of the disciples’ faith lesson. Now that the disciples experience the power of the revelation that Jesus really is the Son of God, they continue the work of the mission of God.

We don’t see much detail in this next assignment, but I wonder if the disciples spent a bit more time with individuals in the crowd. Did they spend some extra effort organizing the people so that Jesus wasn’t constantly bombarded by people? Did they watch more closely as the sick limped forward on canes and then walk away with strength?

We know the disciples and Jesus will once again have to deal with our old friends the Pharisees, but for now, they get to watch Jesus heal with compassion. And they get to watch it with a new understanding of who this man really is.

As we close today, perhaps it is time for us to take a closer look at our own faith. Have we been willing to get out of the boat? Have we walked towards Jesus who stands in the midst of the storm and waves, or have we stayed hunkered in the boat hoping the storm will pass?

If we ever hope to accomplish great things for God, if we ever hope to walk on water, we have to get out of the boat.