The One Who Calms the Seas

After a long day of ministry (physically and spiritually feeding 5,000 men, plus women and children), Jesus sends His disciples on ahead of Him in a boat while He takes time to be alone and pray. In the middle of the night, the disciples find themselves in trouble as violent waves begin to fight their boat and heavy winds rise up against them. Then, around 3 a.m., Jesus comes walking out on the water towards them. Imagine yourself there with the disciples, already beginning to worry about the storm that you are caught in, when you see something in the distance moving towards you on the water. Through the darkness and the crashing waves, they strain to see what appears to be a ghost walking towards them. They become so terrified that they cry out in panic. But Jesus tells them not to be afraid, and to “take courage,” because He is near. Peter asks the Lord, “If it’s [really] you, then tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus’ simple response is, “Come.” We all know what happened next. Peter courageously steps out of the boat and begins to walk to Jesus on the water! But, as soon as he takes his eyes off of Jesus and looks at the strong winds and waves crashing beneath him, he becomes afraid and begins to sink. He cries out to the Lord, “Save me, Lord!” Then Jesus immediately reaches out His hand and lifts Peter up. As they climb back into the boat, the winds stop, the sea calms, and all those in the boat bow down and worship Jesus. 

This story has so much parallel to our daily lives. How often do we find ourselves in the middle of life’s storms, and it feels like the wind is literally “against us,” sending one blow after another? As the waves of doubt and guilt beat us down, the ghosts of uncertainty, past failures, sins, and self-condemnation come rushing towards our hearts and minds, eager to overwhelm us and paralyze us with fear. But Jesus is the only one with the power to calm both the storms surrounding us and the storms within us. He tells us to “Take courage. Don’t be afraid,” for He is there with us—what do we have to fear? 

If only we could be more like Peter, daring to take that first step out of the safety and comfort of the boats we have built (where we feel we still have some semblance of control). For when we step out into the very storms and unchartered waters we fear, we can experience something as supernatural as walking on water. Jesus gives us all the same invitation to “come” to Him, and that often involves an element of risk and walking into the unknown where our faith is stretched. Now, remember these are not pretty, peaceful waters but rather tumultuous waters, fueled by strong gusts of wind that any meteorologist would discourage going out in. But Peter has just seen Jesus do the impossible as He multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed thousands and healed the sick and lame. That faith in the person of Jesus, empowered Peter to courageously step out onto the water and come.   

Can you think of moments in your life when you dared to leave your safety and walked on the water with Jesus? How about the times when you were too afraid to leave the boat? What things kept you from stepping out onto the water?  

You see, walking on water requires a singular focus. Just as soon as we take our eyes off of Jesus and look instead at the wind and the waves that seem so big and insurmountable, doubt floods our hearts. We become fearful. We start drowning in our own anxious thoughts and insecurities. We allow our problems and fears to become bigger in our eyes than Jesus is. So next time this happens, remember there is hope. Just cry out as Peter did, “Save me, Lord.” This is a humble plea that acknowledges our need for Jesus, and giving Him control. For He alone has power over winds and waves and will enable us to walk on stormy seas. Just as Jesus heard Peter’s cry and immediately lifted him, He promises to do the same for us. He is our sure footing, our safety in the storm, our hope. Our only response, like the disciples, is to bow our hearts and worship Him. 

Prayer: Take time to confess your need for Jesus. Cry out to Him as Peter did, “Save me, Lord.” Ask God to help you fix your eyes on Him when the storms of life beat you down and to show you areas in your life where you have allowed fear or any other negative emotions to keep you from walking on the water to Him. Pray for increased courage and faith.   

Listen to the song and watch this video as you think about this story.