"Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, 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. 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?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14: 25-33 (NIV)
This story is a favorite among Christians, it’s such a well known event that even many non-Christians know of it. The miracle is certainly extraordinary but there is also a hidden meaning within the story.
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. 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?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14: 25-33 (NIV)
This story is a favorite among Christians, it’s such a well known event that even many non-Christians know of it. The miracle is certainly extraordinary but there is also a hidden meaning within the story.
- Jesus tells Peter to come to him and Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking on water towards Jesus.
Jesus tells us all to come to him and although the path may seem impossible to take at times we are reminded that nothing is impossible. We too are able to walk on water to follow Jesus. - When Peter saw the wind and the waves he began to sink.
The same applies to us. As our attention is taken by the worries and pleasures of this world we too can begin to sink as we loose our faith in Jesus. - Realizing that he was in danger Peter cries out to Jesus to help him.
When we are in this kind of situation we can sometimes try to save ourselves, struggling to stay afloat and swim to safety. However the best course of action is to look to Jesus and ask him to help us, to save us from the wild water.
