Step Onto the Water

Matthew 14.25-31
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

The account of Jesus walking on the water is one of the most spectacular to us as humans. Walking on the water is just something people do not normally do. The disciples reacted the same way you or I would have reacted, stating that Jesus "walking on the lake" was simply "a ghost" and then "[cry] out in fear." But Jesus never attempts to confuse us--he states plainly that it is, in fact, Him. Just like you or me, however, sometimes we still doubt. Peter asks Jesus to "tell [Peter] to come to [Jesus] on the water." Now, here is where I believe the most crucial part of the story is: it is not Jesus walking on the water, but the result of it. Christ's miracles always have a purpose that will lead to some outcome to glorify God--both the Old and New Testaments demonstrate this. Peter's objective is to walk on the water with Christ. This is his literal "leap of faith."

I'm afraid you and I have problems stepping out onto the water with Jesus. What has Christ called us to do that we are reluctant to act upon? It's probably not literally walking on the water, but it may be comforting a friend, presenting the Gospel to someone, donating money or possessions or time to someone in need. You see, Christ asks us all to step out onto the water in some form or another. That is where faith comes in. How will we react to faith? Will we look towards Christ and not doubt, acting according to His will and the guidance of His footsteps? Or will we be like Peter, and "when [we see] the wind, [be] afraid and [begin] to sink." We must trust God! Remember that Jesus' outcome for us is always beneficial both for the Father's Kingdom and our benefit--usually spiritual growth. We must not doubt, for Christ has shown us He is there to catch us when we fall. We see that when Peter fell, "Jesus reached out His hand and caught [Peter]." So we should trust Jesus! When we doubt, Jesus asks us the same question He asked Peter: "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Trust in Jesus today. Step out onto the water in whatever ocean or lake He tells you to go. It may be a simple pond such as "Tell them you love them" or it may be as vast an ocean as "Spread the Gospel in spite of persecution." Whatever the case, Christ will not lead us astray. Trust in Him today to lead you across the water. Amen.

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich