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“The Myth of Solid Water”

Sometimes the story in today’s Scripture reading is presented as if we’re all meant to do impossible things like walk on water. But let’s not forget that this text is about Jesus walking on water and Peter failing. This is more about what God can do and less about what we can do. 

An even worse misunderstanding of the story comes when we read it as if no miracles happened in the boat.

Eleven miracles happened in the boat—eleven faith miracles. The men were told to be in the boat and stay in the boat. They didn’t want to be in that boat; they wanted to be sleeping on dry land, back where the feeding of the multitude had occurred. Instead, they were soaking wet, sleep deprived, panic stricken, and about to lose their marbles. Here comes Jesus, walking through the storm. They learn that day that He is God. They learn that day that He has total control over nature.

Observe, too, that Jesus doesn’t take Peter out for a walk on the water with Him. Jesus grabs Peter and takes him back to the boat. The boat is still where Jesus wants Peter to be. It’s still where he wants all of them to be. 

Once Jesus gets into the boat, the waves and the wind die down, and they all worship Jesus. They’re worshipping Him in a new way because they’ve seen a completely new angle of His divinity. The storm was totally worth it.

Faith isn’t just about believing for whatever you want; it’s about believing God for what He has said. And if we know we’ve heard Him about something, we can have mountain-moving faith as we believe Him at His word. Often, though, we hear God’s more direct voice in that boat of obedience to God’s general will expressed to all in Scripture. And general obedience shouldn’t be considered any less important—it’s hard to stay faithful, because we’re so jumpy naturally! 

Those of us living obedient lives to God’s general will can know that Jesus is in the boat with us, leading us into incredible destiny with Him, even through the storms of life.

Remember: Faith is about hearing God both as part of a community and as an individual. And our wise response makes the difference between a life changed and disappointment.