Jesus Walks on Water

Jesus Walks on Water

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,  but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.  
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him  and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.” 
Matthew 14:22-36
This is another example of something if not true why would the early church let it be a part of Bible. The fact is it did happen it was true. But that aside there is something to be learned here.
Here Jesus has gone to pray he returns and the boat is off shore. It’s the fourth watch between 3:00 and 6:00am. When the disciples see Jesus coming. At first they thought him a ghost. However Jesus assured them it was him, whereupon Peter says,
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter I think represents a lot of Christians even today especially when it comes to miracles which the walking on water represented.
Today I firmly believe miracles happen. Sadly not as often as could happen, and this largely due to lack of faith of believers.
Peter had seen the miracles Jesus did, he was a believer yet when he seen, as the King James put it “the wind was boisterous” his faith faded and he began to sink.
It happens today. We know the miraculous can happen yet all to often we doubt and as a result begin to sink.
 The people at Gennesaret didn’t seem to have any such doubts.
The fame of Jesus was such that when the recognized who it was scripture records,
“they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him  and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
The faith of the sick healed them. They believed and were rewarded for their belief.
It can be the same today.
I would however add a caveat here. All things that are done in the name of God must be done in accordance with God’s will. And God must get the glory.
I have witnessed healings. My pastor was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors had done all they could for him and said there was no hope.
My pastor if nothing else is a man of great faith. He left everything in the hands of God and we as a congregation and as individuals prayed for him.
Today he is cancer free. Confirmed by the doctors.
At the same time I’ve seen people with great faith die of curable illnesses. Why I really don’t understand.
My wife I think puts it best. She notes we are eternal beings. Absent in the body is present with the Lord. Additionally we don’t know when God will call us home.
So when someone dies. They at the very least are being cured. Illness and pain are gone. They are at peace in the presence of their Lord and God.
The key here is to do all you can to strengthen your faith as a believer and accept the will of God. Be that to cure you or to call you home.
Think about it.