“Lord, if It’s You, Tell Me to Come to You on the Water”

Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."


The story of Jesus walking on water is among the most famous scenes in the Gospels. Just imagine how you would feel being able to walk over the surface of a lake without even getting wet. What a supernatural experience! How could Jesus and then also Peter do what we know to be physically impossible? But only looking at the outward appearance of the story could make us miss the deeper meaning within.

The disciples were in the boat that was tossed back and forth by the wind and the waves when Jesus came to them walking on the lake. They were grown men - some of them experienced fishermen - but terrified at this sight. It says they "cried out in fear!" But when Peter realized it was Jesus he asked him to let him walk on water as well. Peter often stands out with his passionate and at times impulsive personality, but isn't it admirable that he had the courage to step into the wavy sea by faith? He must have thought that if Jesus can walk on water, then he can give me the power to do it also!

Once Jesus calls him and Peter steps out of the boat, he miraculously walks on the water just as Jesus does. All goes well as long as he looks at Jesus. But then it says "he saw the wind" and Peter got scared. As soon as his attention turned to the storm and away from Jesus, he began to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him, and Jesus immediately reached out and caught him by the hand. But he also scolded him: why don't you believe that you can continue to walk on water by faith?

In our lives, we encounter many storms and challenges, but we can overcome and "walk on water" as long as we look at Jesus who calls us. The problem starts when we focus on our difficult situation and circumstances and forget about Christ who should be the center of our lives. We become overwhelmed with worries and doubts and begin to sink. Ideally, we should keep focusing on Jesus always, so we can walk straight through the storm by faith. But even if we struggle with doubts at times and may feel overwhelmed and even if it feels like we're sinking, let us not forget to cry out to Jesus who is always faithful and will stretch out his hands and save us.

Especially during this time of the pandemic when uncertainty and fear abound, may we trust in the Lord who has overcome everything and calls us to walk on water in the middle of the storm, not by our own strength or ability but by faith in Him. 

Also Explore

Embracing the Cross: Rediscovering Its True Meaning

In today's modern Western society, the meaning of the cross has often been diluted, distorted, or altogether lost amidst the noise of our fast-paced lives and the distractions of our materialistic culture. We wear it as jewelry, display it as a symbol of our faith, but do we truly understand the weight and significance

The Church: God's Strategy Against the Gates of Hell

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:18-19

Rejoicing in All Circumstances: A Journey of Gratitude

In the rich tapestry of our Christian journey, the apostolic call resonates with a profound truth: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV). Gratitude, as we understand it in the evangelical tradition, is not a mere sentiment reserved for favorable

I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where

Events
  • 01
    Apr
    OLI Asia Pacific

    God is rising many in the Southern Hemisphere who aspire to be leaders for God’s Kingdom, and the Olivet Asia Pacific Center’s strategic position has made it a vital hub for training and raising new leaders, especially from and for the 10/40 window.

  • 31
    Mar
    Easter Sunday

    Regional Olivet Centers will be hosting Easter Retreats where members and seekers yearning to encounter Jesus Christ through scripture will gather, devote their hearts, and mindfully meditate deeply again on the meaning of the cross, the precious sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, and what it means to each individual and the world.

  • 14
    Feb
    Beginning of Lent Season

    During the 40 days preceding Easter, WOA churches and their members engage in a period of reflection, centering on Jesus' path to the cross. This dedicated time places a particular emphasis on exploring the profound themes found in John 13-19.

World Olivet Assembly believes in equipping believers with theological and practical resources that would enable them to advance the work the gospel.

Also Explore

World Olivet Assembly (WOA) is a global gathering of evangelical churches and para-church organizations existing for the advancement of world mission.

World Olivet Assembly believes in equipping believers with theological and practical resources that would enable them to advance the work the gospel.