Mark 6:45-54
After feeding five thousand Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him to cross the lake. He went up a mountainside to pray then later followed them, walking on the water. He saw them struggling against the wind and waves but intended to pass them by. He was going to meet them as he had arranged but they saw him and were terrified because they thought he was a ghost. Their reaction to the unknown was fear and Jesus knew they were not ready to understand his authority over natural laws, despite the miracles they had seen so far, including Jesus calming a storm.
The response is common, when people encounter angels the first words the angels speak is usually “fear not”. The disciples tried to fit this experience into what they understood, and the only category that seemed appropriate was ghost. They had probably heard strange tales and scary stories much like we do.
Only in Matthew’s account do we read of Peter’s response. After Jesus revealed that it was him and not a ghost, Peter said “if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water” (Matt14:28). Jesus responded and called him to come.
What made Peter think he could do what Jesus did? He must have had faith in Jesus’ ability to empower him. Jesus had already sent the disciples out to minister in his authority and they were able to heal the sick and deliver people. Peter was daring to go beyond his current level of faith and began to walk on the water.
I have always concentrated on the disciples response and the bravery of Peter, then tried to apply the principles to my life. I have never thought about it from Jesus point of view before, but today I was prompted to look at the incident in this way.
What would Jesus have done if Peter had not begun to sink? Would they have carried on walking together to the shore? Jesus had not originally intended to get into the boat. Peter would have experienced a taste of the age to come. His small step was in fact a giant leap into the future.
How did Jesus feel as he watched Peter take those few steps in the spiritual? I expect it was much like when we watch our children take their first steps in the natural. I’m sure he was urging him on, but ready to catch him if he began to fall. He must have been pleased with Peter’s faith, however small, and wanted him to succeed in his attempt to trust the power of God alone to sustain him. He may have been disappointed that Peter began to sink, but his comments revealed that Peter’s small amount of faith would have been enough if he hadn’t let go of it and began to doubt. Jesus changed his plan to walk to the shore and went to the boat with Peter. He decided to be with his disciples even though it meant depending on human effort to reach their destination. Even though he was able to live far above their level of existence, in perfect communion with his Father, he constantly chose to be with them and share their lives.
Jesus words of comfort to calm the disciples fear presented an opportunity to Peter. He thought if it was Jesus, anything was possible. He didn’t merely say “come and help us, the wind too strong, calm it as you did before”. He didn’t try to bring Jesus into his reality, the natural. He wanted to step into Jesus reality, the supernatural. We often want Jesus to come to us and meet our needs, instead of allowing him to take us where he is going. Jesus was planning to pass by but Peter took hold of the opportunity to experience what had not been Jesus intention to do. He may have regretted losing his focus and missing something greater, but what an experience he had. There is no record of Peter, or any of the other disciples, getting another chance to walk on water. His impulsiveness often got him into trouble but in this instance he was able to do what no one else had.
Can we lay hold of more than God was going to give? Dare we cry out to step into his reality? Looking at this from Jesus point of view, how does he feel when we fully experience the life he died to give us. He wants us to receive all that God has promised to those who believe. Wouldn’t he be urging us on to dare to do more, to follow him more closely and live faith filled lives that take us beyond the natural. Wouldn’t he be pleased with little faith that dares to leap into a higher level and walk on water and won’t he always be there to catch us if we should begin to sink? The answer is yes, yes, yes. Let’s do it!
