The Walk

Jesus came walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee one very stormy night. The wind and the angry waves must have made it even more difficult for him. The disciples were in a boat trying to keep it afloat during the barrage of the dark, fierce gale.  They feared for their lives. When they first noticed Jesus they thought he was a ghost. Their fear went up about ten notches. They had never experienced anything like this before.  When Jesus realized how frightened they were he said, “Don't be afraid, it is I.” Now this story gets even more crazy. Peter said, “Lord, if it is really you tell me to come to you.” Jesus told him to come ahead.

Who in their right mind would have made a request like this? I bet some of the other disciples were surprised when Peter said that. “Surely you are not serious, Peter. Don’t joke around at a time like this!” But immediately,  Peter hopped out of the boat, and he actually began walking on the water toward Jesus.  I imagine the disciple watched, bugged eyed with their mouths agape, when they realized that Peter was doing it. He was really walking on water! First Jesus, now Peter! Well if you are familiar with the story you know what happened next.

Peter’s attention quickly faded from Jesus and was captured by the wind and the waves. He came to his senses remembering that a mere man cannot walk on water. 'This is impossible’, he thought. His fear returned, and he sank like a rock. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Of course, Jesus did save Peter from drowning. But then Jesus said something to Peter that might be the most important words  ever spoken to him, and for us, actually. Jesus said to Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Peter took many walks after this one. If we think about it he experienced a lot of difficult walks. We know that he failed several times. Over and over again he sank like a rock. But we also know that he had an innumerable amount of successful walks. One day he answered Jesus, saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He preached and over three thousand people  were saved. He stood up to the religious leaders when they told him not to speak the name, nor the message of Jesus. Peter risked his life many times for the cause of Christ. He was a strong leader of the first century Church. Peter did what Jesus told him to do, “Peter, feed my sheep.” Peter stood firm, not wavering, not sinking because he reached a point on his journey where he did not doubt.

The walk, your walk, my walk often becomes difficult, almost as impossible as walking on water. The wind and the waves of this world take our attention off of Jesus and we sink, we fail, we fear, and we doubt. We have little faith. Peter knew what the followers of Jesus would encounter as they would travel on their walk. He knew what it was like to sink. He knew what fear was. So he gave us these words of encouragement, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s MIGHTY hand, that he may LIFT you up in due time. Cast ALL your ANXIETY (FEAR) on him because he CARES for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

We need not be afraid when we have those “walking on water” experiences. Stay in touch with Jesus through pray, worship, Bible study, and meditation. Our faith will grow and our doubts will shrink, and the walk will become more bearable.