Hope Gospel Church 

“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” (Matthew 14:28-30 NKJV)

How many of us have ever walked on water?  Facetiously someone may suggest that we think we just might any day now.  But we know they are only making fun of us or maybe trying to put us in our place just a little.  No, we don’t walk on water.  Our faith aims at more realistic goals, so the thought doesn’t generally cross our minds to attempt any water-walking.

In the midst of howling winds and in the wee hours of the morning—in the darkness of the morning after Jesus had, only hours before, miraculously fed the massive gathering of over five thousand people, it occurred to Simon Peter that he just might walk on water.  In fact, he did walk on water.  Not for long—but for some amount of time Simon Peter walked on water.

Jesus had walked out onto the water in the darkness of that early morning to join His disciples.  He had seen them rowing hard against an opposing wind and a disagreeable Galilee.  They were trying to get to the northwest shore near Capernaum.  As they fought the rough sea they saw a manly figure coming to them, walking on the water—it had to be a spirit they thought.  But instead it was the Lord Jesus, walking on the water, coming out to be with them.

Everyone who truly believes the gospel has no trouble with the Bible’s account of Jesus walking on water.  It was a supernatural thing, of course.  But, according to the biblical gospel, Jesus is the infinite and eternal God in flesh—so walking on water is not a problem.  But let us remember that Simon Peter walked on the water, too.  He asked permission and the Lord told him to come ahead.  (So far, so dry!)  Hearing Jesus bid him to do so, Peter began to climb out of the boat!  Either he was crazy or entirely convinced of Jesus’ deity and power—the events of the day before had been convincing.  Simon’s trust was no mistake.  Stepping down onto the water, he began to walk toward Jesus!

Now we all know what occurred when Simon was some distance away from the boat yet not quite all the way to Jesus.  “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” (Matthew 14:30-32 NKJV)

Simon Peter’s faith was unnerved by the loud, unruly sea.  He was afraid and doubt filled his mind: was this such a good idea, after all?  He began to sink.  But wait!  Before we imagine his fear or his doubting or his sinking, imagine Simon’s sensation in that first moment when he stepped out of the boat and felt turbulent Galilee holding him up, supporting his weight.  Walk with him as he takes those steps in Jesus’ direction, before fear of his surroundings get a hold of him and the waters begin swallowing him down.  Do any of us think Simon Peter ever forgot those few steps?  No, not for the rest of his life!

Before we even think of criticizing those who venture and fail—a question!  When was the last time we even thought of stepping out of the boat?  Walking with Jesus sounds like something we would like to do—but Simon had to get out of the boat to do it.  Are we willing to take even one step beyond our comfort-zone to experience Christ’s near presence; to experience spiritual eye-contact with the living, exalted Christ?

Our old boat may not be much, but it keeps us afloat and it has kept us safe over the years.  Besides, walking on water just isn’t done these days; not in these modern times.  And so we play it safe.  Instead of venturing into the darkness at the sound of Christ’s voice with faith and hope, we just stay in the boat and avoid failure—which sort of sounds like failure.  But wait!  Simon Peter did not fail!  And neither do they who, trusting His voice, step out of the boat!

Simon makes an audacious request.  It is granted.  He moves to the edge of the vessel and climbs down.  One foot, then the other.  Now he stands on firm Galilee—he takes a step toward Jesus, and then another.  Each step takes him closer to the Lord.  Looking around, doubt fills his mind and fear gets its hold on him—he begins to sink in the cold watery darkness—but no.  Jesus has him!

The only way Simon could ever know Jesus’ power like this and experience such a reality for himself—he had to get out of the boat!  None of the others ever knew what Simon Peter knew; not as he knew it!  Once Jesus and Peter were both in the boat, afterward they all began to say, “Truly You are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33 NKJV).  But none of them ever knew what Peter did: the sovereign power of Messiah’s hand.  If we could speak with him today, Simon Peter would tell us that, if he had it to do all over again, he would still venture out at the Lord’s voice.  Listen and you will hear His voice, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27 NASB). –TSA