eFollowingJesusFeb23 - Walking on water (read Matthew 14:22-33)

   Even today, perilous storms descend swiftly on the Sea of Galilee; boats capsize, sailors scramble for cover.  The disciples are caught in a life-threatening storm; Jesus calmly walks to them on the water, Peter joins him, understandably sinking for a few moments.  Is this story real?  Could Jesus (and Peter!) walk on water?  Even the disciples concluded "It's a ghost!"

   Clearly, this story's value is what it symbolizes about the life of faith.  We are invited to something risky, out of our comfort zone; dangerous storms assail us.  Who could blame us for sinking?  But if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we move forward.

   Jesus fusses at Peter for having "little faith."  Isn't faith something you either have or don't have?  But Jesus suggests we can enlarge our faith, grow in faith, add to our faith.  You may never have "massive faith," but you can have "more faith."

   Perhaps Peter needed more of what Jesus had.  Notice his crucial personal habit:  "Jesus went up on the mountain by himself to pray."  If Jesus needed regular solitude and conversation with God, don't we?

   Lord, come to us.  Get us out of the boat looking toward You.  Grow my faith into something not quite so little.

James

james@mpumc.org

See a painting of the storm by Rembrandt.

Here is the full text of Matthew 14:22-36 -   22: Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23: And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24: but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25: And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26: But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27: But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28: And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29: He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30: but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31: Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32: And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33: And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." 34: And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35: And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent round to all that region and brought to him all that were sick, 36: and besought him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.

The full eFollowingJesus series (thus far!) may be found on our web site.