Walking On Water

A Journey of Fear, Faith, and Courage

The story of Jesus walking on water is a miraculous event recorded in three of the Gospels: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21. This narrative not only showcases Jesus' divine authority over nature but also offers profound lessons on faith, fear, and courage. Let’s delve into this remarkable event and explore its significance for our spiritual journey.

Setting the Scene

After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sends His disciples ahead of Him across the Sea of Galilee while He goes up on a mountainside to pray (Matthew 14:22-23, Mark 6:45-46, John 6:15). As night falls, the disciples find themselves in the middle of the sea, battling strong winds and waves. It is in this setting of crisis and chaos that Jesus approaches them, walking on the water.

Faith in the Midst of the Storm

Matthew 14:25-29 (NIV): "Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. 'It’s a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.' '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."

Peter’s impulsive actions are an extraordinary act of faith. Trusting in Jesus’ command, he steps out of the boat and walks on water. This moment highlights the power of faith to empower us to transcend our natural limitations and confront our fears when we keep our focus on Jesus. While we might not literally walk on water, we do navigate challenging situations. If we concentrate on the difficulties around us instead of seeking Jesus' help, we risk despair and failure. To sustain our faith during tough times, focus on Jesus' strength rather than our own shortcomings.

The Reality of Fear

Matthew 14:30-31 (NIV): "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"

Peter’s fear overtakes him when he shifts his focus from Jesus to the surrounding storm. Peter’s impulsive actions often led to failure. Jesus always emphasized the importance of understanding the full gravity of the situation before committing to it. This illustrates how fear can undermine our faith. However, it also shows that in our moments of doubt and fear, calling out to Jesus will bring His immediate help and reassurance. When we are anxious about the challenges around us and doubt Christ’s presence or ability to assist, remember that He is always with us and is the only one who can truly help. Our faith is marked not by the absence of failure but by the ability to rise and continue after each fall.

Courage in Christ

Mark 6:50-51 (NIV): "Immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.' Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed."

The disciples were frightened, but Jesus’ voice bid them to take heart and have no fear. In Mark's account, Jesus’ words and actions emphasize the call to courage. Biblically, courage means trusting in Jesus' presence and power even in the face of fear. His presence brings peace and calms the storms in our lives. When we confront our fears, do we try to handle them alone, or do we turn to Jesus for strength? His presence offers peace and security, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. Whether facing personal challenges, unexpected crises, or overwhelming circumstances, we can find solace knowing that Jesus is by our side, ready to provide strength, guidance, and support. This assurance gives us the courage to navigate difficult times with confidence and hope, trusting in His unwavering love and care.

Marks Foot Note - Hardened Hearts

Reflecting on Mark 6:52, "for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened," we see that Mark’s footnote to this episode is a crucial detail explaining why these events occurred. The use of the word “for” in verse 52 indicates causation or reason. In other words, Jesus orchestrated these events because the disciples had not understood the lesson from the miracle of the loaves. The disciples witnessed the miraculous feeding of the five thousand but failed to grasp the deeper spiritual meaning behind Jesus' actions. They saw the miracle but did not internalize its significance regarding Jesus’ divine power and provision. Jesus allowed these events to unfold to further teach and reveal Himself to the disciples. Their lack of insight and hard hearts necessitated additional experiences that would open their eyes to His true nature and mission. Mark attributes their lack of understanding to their hardened hearts, suggesting a spiritual dullness or insensitivity. Despite being close to Jesus and witnessing His miracles, their preconceived notions and lack of faith hindered them from fully comprehending who He was.

Just as the disciples struggled with hardened hearts, we too can become spiritually insensitive. It’s important to examine our own hearts for areas where we might be resisting God’s truth or failing to perceive His work in our lives. The incident emphasizes the necessity of depending on Jesus for spiritual insight. Without His intervention, our understanding remains limited. Seeking His guidance and revelation is crucial for deepening our faith. God uses various events in our lives to teach us and grow our faith. Recognizing and reflecting on these lessons can prevent the hardening of our hearts and open us to greater spiritual truths. By understanding the disciples’ struggle, we can be more mindful of our own spiritual journey. Keeping our hearts soft and receptive to Jesus’ teachings ensures that we gain the insights necessary to grow in faith and understanding.

Recognizing Jesus’ Presence

John 6:20-21 (NIV): "But he said to them, 'It is I; don’t be afraid.' Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading."

John’s account highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus’ presence. Jesus does not just watch from afar but comes to the aid of his disciples with outstretched arms in their moment of need. Once the disciples welcome Him into their boat, they immediately reach their destination safely.This signifies that acknowledging Jesus in our lives brings resolution and peace.

Lessons for Our Spiritual Journey

1. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus: Peter’s experience teaches us to maintain our focus on Jesus, especially when facing life’s challenges. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) reminds us, "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
2. Cry Out for Help: When overwhelmed by fear, we should not hesitate to cry out to Jesus. Psalm 34:17 (NIV) says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles."
3. Embrace Courage: True courage is trusting in Jesus despite our fears. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) encourages us, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
4. Recognize His Presence: Jesus’ presence in our lives is a constant source of peace and guidance. Matthew 28:20 (NIV) assures us, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Conclusion

The story of Jesus walking on water is a powerful reminder of the interplay between faith, fear, and courage. It calls us to step out in faith, confront our fears with the assurance of Jesus’ presence, and find courage in Him. As we navigate our spiritual journey, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, cry out for help when needed, embrace the courage He provides, and always recognize His constant presence in our lives.

By embracing these lessons, we can face the storms of life with confidence and peace, knowing that Jesus is with us, guiding us safely to our destination.

Soli Deo Gloria

Hardness of Heart

St. Paul says, Egypt’s material prosperity or the children of Israel’s poverty is not a direct reflection of what God thinks of them as his children (Romans 9:14-18). Why did God allow the unrighteousness of Pharaoh to flourish? Why did God bless Jacob and curse Esau? Is grace of Jesus Christ retroactive for someone like Esau? St. Paul says that it is not for us to ask why to God. It is Gods discretion as to whether He should show mercy or compassion. It is impossible for us to understand God (Romans 11:33-36). Can we even compare all the wisdom of all the most intelligent people in the world against the wisdom of God? Can the pot ask the potter why he was created to be used for menial work and not as a decorative piece? We should never judge a person by their outward appearance. It is the state of a person’s heart that really matters. Can we really say for sure what the condition of a person's heart? Only God knows and understands. St. Paul says that God looks for radical change in a person’s heart that is transformed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 2:29).

God allowed Egypt as a Nation to Flourish. A great natural disaster of monstrous proportions that could have wiped out the whole nation of Egypt was averted by the wisdom and prophesies of Joseph. The Children of Israel were initially treated well by Pharaoh. Later the Pharaohs forgot all about the protection that was given them by Gods servant Joseph. Pharaohs’ wealth, greed and power made their hearts hard to those that were subject to their laws. They viewed Israel as a threat. Slowly they started to persecute them by subjecting them to merciless slavery and other inhuman acts. The evil they commenced, gradually accumulated over the years.

Then it was a question of when God was going to act. He filled the children of Israel with hope that He would send them a savior. But they didn’t know who and when. He continued to make Egypt a powerful nation. He continued to bless them with more than they really needed. When the time came for the redemption of the children of Israel, the sons of Pharaoh had become extremely proud. Pharaoh had forgotten about the power of the Living God. Do we find ourselves forgetting all that God has done in the past for us? When Moses came to the Pharaoh did he see him as a shepherd with some kind of magical powers? Pharaoh couldn’t believe that Moses would take him down with the help of the living God.

Every time Moses came up with a miracle God would allow Pharaohs heart to be hardened. Pharaoh came to see it as a personal vendetta with Moses’ God. He decided in his heart that he was not going to let the people of Israel go. Was this a case of the super power of Egypt attempting to go up against the divine power of God?

Are there things in your life that you can’t let go? Are there people or places that mean more to you than the living God? Have you hardened your heart to certain areas or issues in your life that you have accepted as impossible to overcome? Do you remember King David when he was confronted by the prophet Nathan of his sin, he admitted his sin with repentance? We must with King David beseech the Lord that the Holy Spirit will create in us a pure heart, and renew a right spirit in us. That God will not cast us away from His presence. We must pray that the Holy Spirit will show us the log in our own eyes before we search for the speck in our neighbors eyes. Do you remember Miriam who thought highly of herself and criticized her brother Moses, but was struck with leprosy?

Can we hear the words of Jesus beckoning us to come to Him when we are weak and heavy laden, and He will give us rest? We must come with the expectation to reform, renew and redirect our hearts to the Living God. We must plead for compassion and mercy for our hardness of heart that comes about knowingly or unknowingly, and for the need to restore our hearts by the help of the Holy Spirit. We must learn to show mercy and compassion just as our Heavenly Father has shown it to us. Finally we must realize that it not by any action of ours that we are saved, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. So let us confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9).