18
Walking on Water
Matthew 14:22-33
Healing the sick might still be acceptable. Turning water into wine is astonishing. Feeding a crowd of fifteen thousand from nothing is absolutely impossible! But walking on water - that is something only the gods can do - or so the people of ancient times believed. If you could walk on the sea, you had entered the realm of the divine!
But wait, I’m getting ahead of the story!
After the incredible event of feeding thousands, Simon is completely exhausted! He looks at his companions and sees that they are all drained. Jesus beckons the group closer: “Men, you look tired! Simon, take your boat and row across to the other side. I’ll send the remaining people home and then join you later.”
When the last of the crowd finally leaves at dusk, Jesus climbs the mountain to pray and regain His strength. It seems He spends most of the night in prayer, once again emphasising the immense value and necessity of prayer for us as believers.
Meanwhile, Simon and his companions are battling with the sea. The wind is against them, and they feel like they are making no progress. Suddenly, a thought strikes Simon - how is their Rabbi going to get home? Should they have waited for Him instead? The night is almost over before the wind finally dies down, but the sea remains rough, with waves still towering around them.
Then, suddenly, Thomas lets out a scream and points to something in the sea. Simon follows his trembling finger - and in the misty haze of early dawn, he sees that ghostly white figure walking across the water, heading straight for them. He and his companions are absolutely terrified - what they are witnessing is utterly impossible! Have they crossed into the realm of spirits and gods? It can only be a ghost! They cry out in fear!
I can relate to these men. Imagine a mysterious figure striding towards you over wild, raging waves - and there’s nowhere to run! It must have been bloodcurdling and utterly terrifying for them.
Then come their Master’s reassuring words: “Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Jesus’ words “It is I” remind us of Exodus 3 - Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, where God introduces Himself as: “I AM WHO I AM.”
Suddenly, the terrifying situation is defused. With these words, Jesus is essentially telling them that He is the same faithful Covenant God who appeared to Moses, who delivered the Israelites, and who is now bringing deliverance in their moment of crisis. He is Immanuel - God with us! All power belongs to Him, even the utterly impossible - like walking on water! These two thoughts bring them immediate peace.
Suddenly, Simon is filled with courage: “Master, I want to walk on the water too!”
By now, we know Simon well - always the one to act and speak impulsively, without much thought. Passionately spontaneous! And time and again, it gets him into trouble. And now, here he is, wanting to do the impossible - something that only the "gods" are supposed to do - simply because he sees Jesus doing it.
“Come, Simon,” Jesus invites him warmly.
True to his impulsive nature, Simon doesn’t hesitate. He jumps over the side of the boat. His companions gasp in shock as Simon’s eyes widen - he takes his first steps on the water.
“I did it! I’m standing on water!” His companions can hardly believe their eyes - there he is, Simon, an ordinary man, walking on the rough sea.
THE ROUGH SEA!
That part, Simon hadn’t considered! Walking on water might still be manageable, but now, suddenly, terrifying waves come crashing towards him. He no longer sees Jesus - only the enormous, frightening waves!
And Simon begins to sink.
The moment he takes his eyes off Jesus, everything is lost.
Jesus reaches out and grabs his hand, rescuing the drenched and shaken Simon back into the boat.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,” we sing. But we sink the moment we lose sight of Him. Indeed, Simon-Peter would experience many more moments of failure on his journey ahead!
Is there not a bit of Simon in each of us? We are often plagued by fear and doubt. Sometimes, when we take our eyes off Him, we even question God Himself, just as Simon does in verse 28: “Lord, if it is really You…”
But then He calls us again: “Come!” And in that moment, we rise above our doubts and fears - walking on water!
But remember, this is not about human bravery. It’s about walking in faith. I am constantly aware of my own doubts, and time and again, Jesus has to lift me from sinking. Yet, each time, we hear His voice again: “Come!” He wants us to step out in radical love and obedience, overcoming our fears and small faith.
In the end, after Pentecost, Simon-Peter triumphed and rose as a cornerstone of the faith. And so can you and I!