FollowingJesus.me

Matthew 14:28-29

“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.

Yes, I know that the story does not end there but I am stopping here on purpose. This story, especially this portion of the story has been tumbling around in my soul this week. Four words have ignited something in me, encouraged me this week, and given me hope. Those four words are, “Peter walked on the water.” Stop for a moment and imagine that. That is NOT supposed to happen, that “can’t” happen. It’s “impossible.” Nevertheless, it happened. Peter walked on the water!

I think one of the amazing things about this story is that it isn’t just a miraculous story. This story involved a man. There was a human being, a mere mortal like you and me, who experienced this miracle firsthand. He, Peter, actually took steps out on the lake and did not sink! (Of course, he did later, but not at first.) Before sinking, Peter walked on the water.

There was something else first. Peter did not instantly start walking on the water. He had to do something else first. He had to climb out of the boat…while it was floating…in the middle of the lake. Who does that? It’s even crazier than skydivers “jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.” At least they have parachutes. Peter had nothing but the beckoning of Jesus and a moment of… something, passion? adventure? insanity? excitement? I don’t know, but there was something in that moment that caused him to both listen to Jesus and do something that we all “know” will not end well. He did it, he climbed out of the boat.

Then, the miraculous. Things did not go as expected. He didn’t climb out and go into the water. Gravity, weight, water displacement, none of it worked the way it was “supposed to.” Peter did not sink but walked on the water!

Can you imagine it? Not for him but for you? Can you imagine hearing the invitation and then, after a quick, deep breath, you muster the courage to do it? Something within you can’t seem to help but respond to the invitation. In your head, this makes no sense. You have been around boats and fishing all your life. You know this world, you know how it works. Nevertheless, you can’t help yourself. In a moment beyond all understanding, you step out on the water. You step out and it happens. Your foot doesn’t sink. It’s like you are walking on solid ground, but you are not. You are walking on the water!

My question for us today is, what is holding you back? What is keeping you in the boat gripping the side? Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. Jesus is still calling his children to walk with him on the water. What is it that Jesus is asking or has put in your spirit that “makes no sense.” What is Jesus asking that seems to defy the way things are “supposed to work”?

Peter walked on the water.

The next time Jesus looks at you with his loving, beckoning gaze and says to you, “Come.” What will you do?