We saw Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s “Point of View – Healing the Paralytic” last week. This week, we will look at the accounts of Jesus walking on the water.

You know the basic story—it follows the feeding of the five thousand. Lest the people try to make Jesus a king, he scoots the disciples out on a boat. Jesus manages to slip off and up a mountain away from the crowd to pray. Late into the night, a few hours before morning, the waves pick and the disciples are “straining at the oars” when they see Jesus walking on the water toward them.

…but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Mark 6:49-50

They recognize his voice. Oh, the comfort of a familiar voice.

Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, Mark 6:51

Keep in mind that the disciples had seen many miracles, not the least of which they had just witnessed with the feeding of the five thousand. Mark is amazed that they were amazed, so here comes Mark’s take away;

…for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:52

John, on the other hand, tells us;

…and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, (Remember, John was a fisherman. He could gauge this kind of thing.) they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water, and they were terrified. (You just don’t see this everyday.) But he said to them, “It is I, don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing (not amazed or in awe, but “willing”) to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. John 6:18-21

Fisherman John seems to have been more consumed with the hard rowing and the safe landing!

But it is Matthew who gives us the long version, complete with the extra piece of the story about Peter. After Jesus assures them that it is he, impetuous Peter pipes up;

“Lord, if it is you, 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 to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:28-30

Jesus catches his Peter’s hand and rebukes him for his little faith and doubt. They climb in the boat and the wind dies down. Perhaps Matthew finds Peter’s boldness admirable, but also notes his failures. In spite of the incident, Matthew’s closing thought is;

Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:31

For Matthew, this has been, not just an amazing thing to watch, it has been a worship experience.  

Luke opts out of telling this incident. Perhaps Peter never told him about it!

What is Jesus to you? An amazing character? One who gets the job done? Or does He bring you to the point of worship?

~ Joyce ~