“About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.”-Matthew 14:25
I fondly remember when I was a kid, the times I had with family and friends near water. Whether we were at a pool, lake, or river, we would see who could muster up the biggest and best splash with a “cannonball”. We would have diving competitions to see who could enter the water the smoothest. We even competed for who could “walk” the farthest on top of the water. We were horrible at it. Truthfully, we didn’t walk on the water at all. We just sank quickly! Nobody walks on water well — except for Jesus who is altogether different. That’s a small part of what makes it so amazing to think about Jesus walking on water.
When we look at Matthew 14:22-33, we read about a very unique, miraculous occasion in which Jesus walked on water. What a super story! I’d encourage you to read this passage once again. As I read it, here are three observations from the passage that encourage me greatly. I hope they will encourage you too! Jesus walking on water reminds us:
Jesus is God! We know Christ came in flesh and blood. He is fully man. John 1:14 tells us, “So the Word became human…” But, let’s not forget, He is Immanuel too, meaning, ”God is with us” (Matthew 1:23). For only God can walk on water and stop storms as He pleases. The disciples recognized this and worshiped Him (Matthew 14:33). So may we!
Jesus met the disciples in the middle of a storm. Matthew 14:24 tells us that the disciples were in trouble, “far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.” The disciples were afraid and concerned. Jesus wasn’t. He didn’t fear or flee from the storm, rather He walked right into it to be with the disciples. Jesus is sovereign over any storm! To this day, Jesus still meets us in very special, extraordinary ways in the middle of the “storms” of life we walk through. We can count on this. What comfort this should bring us.
Jesus reminded the disciples to not be afraid, for He was with them. As Jesus walked on the water toward the disciples, they were struggling and scared. Then they saw Jesus approaching them, strolling along on top of the waves. What a sight! Well, this frightened them further. But here’s what Jesus told the disciples then, and He still speaks this to us today — ”Don’t be afraid. Take courage, I am here!” (Matthew 14:27). So whatever we might go through, and we will go through many troubles and trials, He is with us. He promised to never leave us (Matthew 28:20). That is enough. No need to fear.
Godspeed, friends!
-Scott