Walking on Water
by Ted Bradshaw, retired CCCC pastor, former CCCC Board Member and Area Rep, author
See Matthew 14:22–33; Mark 6:45–52; John 6:15–27
Who walked on the water of Galilee?
Facts: The Sea of Galilee is pear-shaped and about 8.5 miles wide at its widest and about 13 miles long. It is ringed with mountains and hills. Turbulent cross currents intersect over the Sea of Galilee, created by cool moist Mediterranean air converging with hot, dry desert air. The distance the disciples were rowing between Bethsaida on the northeast corner to Gennesaret on the northwest was about 6.5 miles. Because they were planning to go straight across, they were never far from shore. The wind and waves were so strong that these experienced sailors were making no headway.
The disciples had most likely left the Bethsaida shore in time to arrive in Gennesaret before nightfall. They were still trying to get across in the fourth watch — 4 or 5 a.m. Probably they had long since furled their sails, useless in a contrary wind. Likely, they had been rowing (taking turns) for as much as 10 hours.
Why not just turn back? Experienced fishermen knew the danger turning side-to and capsizing in the high waves. There was also danger in turning stern to the waves. They could broach (the stern lift on a wave and together with the momentum of the oars, drive the bow under, and flip the boat over). The safest procedure for a small boat in high wind and waves is to keep the bow into the waves, hold on, bail and hope the storm blows itself out.
Already they had experienced terror while crossing in a storm (Matt. 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25). But also, they experienced Jesus’ control over the elements. Likely, while they were keenly aware of their danger and emotionally on edge, they had confidence they would arrive safely — eventually. Thus seeing Jesus doing what to them was incomprehensible and impossible they naturally assumed it was an incorporeal form — a ghost that could float over the water. The disciples were aware of the power of demons. That frightened them more than the sea!
They could hardly believe him, when Jesus identified himself. Peter, the impetuous, said “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Peter believed that if Jesus could walk on water, and if Jesus wanted Peter to walk on water, then he, Peter, could walk on water. This was against all the evidence of his years of experience on the water, yet Peter was willing to trust Jesus’ word.
We don’t know how far Peter defied the laws of physics walking away from the boat. It was far enough so he could no longer grab for the gunwale of the boat. So long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was fine. But his mind overruled his faith. His attention shifted to the wind and the waves. His knowledge of the material world overcame his faith in the power of Jesus (What kind of a man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him! Matthew 14:27) Because he allowed his scientific sense to overwhelm his faith, the water and the storm threatened to overwhelm Peter.
Who can walk on water?
The power, authority, and abilities available to the believer:
Matthew 28:18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
John 14:11–14 If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Romans 8:11–13 …if you live according to the sinful nature you will die…
Romans 8:15–17 …we are God’s children… we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
What the believers in the New Testament did:
Matthew 14:28–30 Peter walked on the water
Matthew 10:8 Jesus said, “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” See also Luke 10:17–18 The return of the disciples.
Matthew 14:15–21 Feeding of 5,000 – Jesus blessed the food, the disciples participated in the multiplication of loaves and fish.
Acts 5:1–10 Ananias and Sapphira condemned by Peter
Acts 5:12–16 Many signs and wonders
Acts 8:39 Phillip miraculously transported from Gaza to Azotus, some 20 miles
Acts 12:5–11 Peter freed from jail
Acts 19:11–12 Miracles by Paul
Modern day believers:
Late 1960s revival in Indonesia as detailed in Touched by Fire. Believers had food multiplied, walked across a flooding river on top of the water, instantly healed after persecution torture.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Seattle — numerous documented healings — In a prayer meeting the man behind me had his deaf left ear healed; one woman had very bad teeth that were filled miraculously with gold.
See also Nine O’clock in the Morning by Dennis Bennett; Face up with a Miracle by Don Basham, Something More by Catherine Marshal, They Speak with Other Tongues by John Sherrill.
Why doesn’t it happen more often?
We suffer from a spiritual malaise brought on by materialism and scientism. We have been trained by parents, schooling, and life to believe only what can be independently verified by the scientific method. We have learned the “Laws of Nature” as if they are superior to the ways of God.
We do not expect miracles. We expect the natural processes:
Money comes from a paycheck;
We travel by foot, auto or mass transit;
We have healing over time, medicines, operations, we trust in doctors more than in God;
We rely upon the government for a safety net, not Jesus
Jesus calls us to a radical faith that flies in the face of reason and common sense. He calls us to rely first, last, and always on Jesus alone for our salvation, lives, livelihood, and all our needs. He calls us to go boldly into the world and expect miracles! Jehovah Jireh!
EDITOR’S NOTE:
When Peter got out of the boat, what did the other disciples do? I think they were yelling to Peter how stupid a thing he was doing. “Watch out!” “Look at that wave!” “You can’t do that!” I think they may have contributed to Peter’s taking his eyes off Jesus.
Jesus said, Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12) What did he mean?
We are taught by the Word of God to have faith and trust God for all things? Yet our skeptical minds usually don’t trust accounts of modern day miracles. Is this good?
What do YOU think?
I welcome your comments, and will be glad to publish them. Send them to kmcgarvey@ccccusa.com
