The account of Jesus walking on the water is certainly intriguing. It is one event that many of us have known since childhood. It is truly an unforgettable story. This remarkable event is also recorded in Mark 6:45-52 and Matthew 14:22-32 with a few variations. Matthew and Mark both state that the disciples at first thought Jesus was a ghost. Matthew’s gospel adds greater detail as it describes how Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. When his eyes wandered onto the raging sea around him, he began to sink. Matthew then describes how Jesus rescues Peter and bemoans his ‘little’ faith. “There is also an important variation in the transition statement in Mark and Matthew, where Jesus’ activity in the hills is identified as that of praying (cf. Matt 14:23; Mark 6:46). Whereas those Gospels focus on the aspect of Jesus’ departure as a desire for spiritual retreat, John’s focus is on Jesus’ effort to avoid involvement in political revolution.”[1] The lake on which this event occurred was the Sea of Tiberias or the Sea of Galilee. “The Sea of Tiberias or Galilee is a deep gouge in the Jordan rift surrounded by hills so that winds frequently sweep down and stir the waters into a frenzy. Even today the situation is similar. Power boats periodically are warned to remain docked as the winds whip the water into foamy white caps. Imagine then what it would be like to be in wooden boats propelled by sails and oars. It is a small but treacherous lake that Josephus indicated was about 4.6 miles by 16.1 miles. Contemporary measurements, however, would put the maximum size at about 6.9 miles by 12.6 miles, though recent heavy water usage in modern Israel has reduced it slightly from those dimensions.”[2] You can only imagine the fear the disciples must have experienced as they attempted to navigate rough waters in the dark of night.
The application of this passage comes in several basic questions. These are soul searching questions that will challenge our faith in the One who walks on water.
Do you see the storm? We are blessed in our modern time to have sophisticated weather instruments. When it comes to major storms, we are able to track storms for days before they are upon us. Especially when it comes to major storms like hurricanes, we are given ample warning to get out of harm’s way. I am sure the disciples of Jesus would have benefited from the modern radar systems of our time. When the disciples got into the boat, they had no idea that a storm was brewing. You may remember the movie, the perfect storm starring George Clooney. It tells of the story of a crew of fishermen who set out into deeper waters to find the big catch. As the crew is out at sea aboard the Andrea Gail they encounter the storm of the century. This well-made suspenseful movie is a true story. It was on October 29, 1991 that three devastating storms converged into one massive unforgettable storm. Waves were reported as high as 100 feet and winds at 92 miles per hour. The entire crew of the Andrea Gail perished. Storms are real. Storms are dangerous. Storms are life-altering and in some cases life-ending. There are times in our lives when we experience sudden storms. As a matter of fact, most of the storms of life come unexpectedly. It could be a routine doctor’s appointment that results in the announcement that you have cancer. It could be a normal day at work that ends with being laid off. It could be the simple of task of checking your banking app only to find your identity has been stolen and all of your money is gone. It could be that dreaded phone call revealing that a dear loved one has died. These are real life struggles that we all face. They are storms that creep up all too sudden finding us unprepared and unsure of what to do. The point here is to understand the reality of storms in our lives. The storms of life are inevitable. You cannot escape. Trouble and heartache will find you. No one is exempt from storms. It is the reality of life in a sin cursed world. Therefore, like the crew of the Andrea Gail you must face the storm head on. You cannot hide from it. You must see it. You must face it. I know such a prospect is not very encouraging, but it is important to know that you can never hope to weather the storm unless you just face it head on. Too often we live our lives with our heads buried in the sand. We just ignore our problems rather than facing them. Here’s the thing: you cannot get through the storm if you don’t see the storm.
Do you see the One in the storm? The disciples of Jesus were about to come to the same fate as the crew of the Andrea Gail many centuries later. The wind was swirling around them. The waves were growing larger. Their small vessel was taking on water. Things looked bleak. But, then they saw something on the water. At first they believe it to be a ghost, but soon they realize it was Jesus walking on top of the water in the midst of the storm. Child of God, take comfort. Do not fret. Jesus is in the midst. He is the One in the storm and He will not leave you. He will take your hand and He will put you on His shoulders and He will carry you through. As the old hymn says:
AS YOU TRAVEL DOWN LIFE’S ROAD
HE IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY.
WITH EVERY STEP YOU TAKE HE’S WALKED AHEAD OF YOU.
AND EVERY NIGHT AS YOU LAY DOWN ANGELS ARE CAMPING ALL AROUND.
I’LL NEVER BE ALONE FOR HE IS IN THE MIDST.
HE’S IN THE MIDST OF OUR STORM.
HE’S IN THE VALLEY WE WALK THROUGH.
WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED IN HIS NAME
HE’LL BE THERE TOO.
WHEN YOU FEEL SO ALL ALONE HE IS STANDING NEXT TO YOU.
HE’S WITH US NOW. OUR LORD HE’S IN THE MIDST.
Our God is omnipresent. He is with you everywhere you go. He is beyond time. He is in the past. He is in the present. He is in the future. All at the same time! This is why you can be comforted. This is why you can be confident. Jesus is with you! He is in the midst of the storm. He is in that doctor’s office. He is in that hospital room. He is in that lawyer’s office. He is there in your home. He is there in your workplace. He is there in your school. He is with you. He will never abandon you. He will never forsake you. He will never turn away from you. He is there. He is in the storm. Don’t you see Him? Don’t you see Him with His arms stretched wide? Don’t you see Him calling out to you? Don’t you see Him motioning for you to come to Him? He loves you. He cares for you. He is with you right where you are. He may not remove the storm. But, He is there with you in the storm. My friend, there is no safer place to be than in the arms of Jesus. Do you see Him in the storm?
Will you let Jesus on board? As the disciples realize it is Jesus walking on the water and after Peter’s experience on the water; they bring Jesus on board the boat. We all know the country song, “Jesus take the wheel.” The same application is seen here. You must let Jesus on the boat. We must let Him on board. As you navigate through life’s troubled seas, you cannot survive on your own. You cannot make it on your own. You need Jesus in the boat. When you got Jesus on your boat, then you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. When you got Jesus on your boat, you can break free of the chains that have you bound. When you got Jesus on your boat, you can have victory over sin and shame. When you got Jesus on your boat, you have no need to worry. When you got Jesus on your boat, you can ride the waves. You can walk on the water. You can relax. You can rest. Why? Because Jesus is on the boat. He is there. My friend, the greatest decision of your life is to let Jesus on board. Do you have Him? Do you know Him? Do you believe in Him? Are you trusting in Him? Will you let Jesus on board?
[1] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, pp. 257–258). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 258). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Pastor Chris Noland 