Walking on the Water
22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared to death. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
27 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
29-30 He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
31 Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
Reflection
I had the pleasure of going to my home church in Littleton, New Hampshire this week and the speaker shared this poem which just feels so suitable for my thoughts on today’s scripture.
“Change” by Mary Love
Count me among the weird, the odd, the unruly.
Stare if you must – then kindly step out of the way.
I am here to change the world – and I have a lot to do.
Change is hard and scary. It takes courage to participate.
I chose to use the Message for this week’s scripture translation because it specifically has Jesus use the words, “Courage, It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus is always beckoning us to come toward him – to trust him – to brave the storm and participate in a miracle. But life is rough and scary, and dangerous. It’s easy to lose your nerve and your faith to waver.
If you’re like me you see a great idea for change and it’s easy to jump out of the boat like Peter did. I’m usually thinking, “Wow! What a great idea! And we can do this, and this, and this (add ALL THE IDEAS here)” and soon enough the waves start crashing and the wind is blowing and I look down at the tumultuous waters below my feet and start to doubt. What started as a great idea and an opportunity for change inevitably meets obstacles and resistance because CHANGE IS SCARY. It starts to feel like it would be a miracle if what you’re working on succeeds.
This is when we need the courage that Jesus offers us. Just when Peter starts to doubt his decision to participate, Christ catches him. When we have the courage to participate, Christ will catch us too. We have so much to do. It’s easier to walk on the water when you know Christ is holding your hand. It may feel awkward to have the people on the boat gawking at you, but you’ve gotta admit, it feels pretty good when you realize you had the courage to step out of the boat and find yourself a part of the miracle. You had the courage to be counted among the weird. You had the courage to participate in change.
by Ashley Bowler
For Pondering and Prayer
How is Christ asking you to participate? In what ways can you step out of the boat and participate in a change? What changes are happening in your life that require your courage and Christ’s loves?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, we know you’re calling to us. We know there is so much to do. Grant us the courage to step out of the boat and be the odd one out. Grant us the grace for when we inevitably start to panic because, whoah, this might be a bit more than we realized. Just as our courage begins to fall, catch us, and may your stability offer us renewed strength in our mission. We are here to change the world, let us walk on the water together in your everlasting love. Amen.
