Matthew 14:25
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
We know the story of Jesus walking on water and how Peter got out of the boat and tried to walk on water as well. We know how that story ends. Much is written about Peter and his faith to get out of the boat, the remaining disciples who stayed in the boat, and even about Jesus on how he dealt with Peter while trying to walk on water.
I feel, at times, we get lost in the story and miss the miracle. True, the story has much meaning and application for our lives. Yes, we need the faith to get out of the boat. Yes, we need to feel encouraged that even though Peter failed to continue to walk on water, at least he got out of the boat, whereas the others never even tried. Yes, we need to see how Jesus tells us to keep our eyes on Him rather than our circumstances. All this and more are important themes of the story. Let us not overlook the real miracle of Jesus WALKING ON WATER!!
I think we tend to forget the real miracle of God each time we reduce Him to our human level and bring our circumstances into our faith. We draw the attention away from God and toward ourselves. We see that the story quickly went towards Peter and away from Jesus’ miraculous ability to be walking on water and what that means.
What does Jesus walking on water mean? Do we yawn and say, “Oh well, just another cool thing God can do?” Every miracle is to be a reminder of who God is. God cannot be made small to fit our limited thinking. His miracles won’t allow for that. They cause us to see beyond what this world has for us and to know that God is bigger. If we think about the miracle and what really is going on, parting of seas, bread from heaven, water from rocks, fire from heaven, rising from the grave and walking on water, we have to stop long enough to be in awe of the God we serve.
“Today, as you go about your day, look at creation and count the miracles. Then take note of how your faith grows and your worries of the day shrink away. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea”. – Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
Just a Thought…
