Walking On WaterSample

 An Invitation

On the Sea of Galilee that day, confronted with something for which he had no frame of reference, Peter blurted out, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water” (verse 28).

The answer that he received was simple. One word. “Come,” Jesus said.

Over the past few years, I have thought many times about that one word. It’s a word full of grace and invitation. Jesus could easily have rebuked Peter for questioning and demanding proof that it was him, but he didn’t. We might also expect Jesus to point out that people don’t normally walk on water, so who did Peter think Jesus was? And, more pointedly, by asking to come onto the water and join him, wasn’t Peter thinking rather highly of himself?! Either answer would make sense within the framework of the theologies which most of us believe. Yet we cannot escape the fact that Jesus invited Peter out of the boat and onto the surface of the lake. That means that there was an invitation to step into the impossible – not just to witness Jesus performing miracles, but to join with him and step into a supernatural experience of life.

But what if Peter had never left the boat? After all, none of the others did. If Jesus’ invitation out onto the water is a helpful metaphor for his invitation to all disciples to join him in something more, then putting ourselves into Peter’s shoes will enable us to face the issues in our own lives that prevent us from following Jesus and experiencing signs and wonders. 

Simply put, it seems to me that there would be two main obstacles that could have prevented Peter from stepping out of the boat – his head and his heart. These represent two great barriers to entering into more with God. The first is all about the rational mind and the demand to understand before we experience. The second revolves more around the woundedness of our hearts, which leads to the fear of being let down and the conclusion that we must never take risks. As it happens, the first is my testimony and the second is Becky’s. Most people will relate more to one than the other. However, both ultimately express a desire to remain in control, and so both prevent the faith that steps out into what appears impossible. Our prayer is that you also hear Jesus’ invitation and learn how to overcome whatever hang-ups you have in your own life.