Walking on Water

Almost everyone who has ever heard of Jesus knows about this event:

²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." ²⁸ And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." ²⁹ He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God" (Matt 14:25-33)

We use the phrase "walks on water" to indicate someone who can do no wrong (you know, like Jesus). There is even a lizard nicknamed the "Jesus lizard" (no relation to the band of the same name) because it can run on top of water for some time. Most everyone knows that Jesus walked on water.

Less obvious is the secondary story. Those of us familiar with the account are also aware that Jesus wasn't the only man to have ever walked on water. In verse 29 we read, "Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus." Most of us see "walking on water" as an impossible task accomplished only by the Son of God, but, in truth, a follower of Christ did the same thing at His command.

Let's examine for a moment the very special qualifications that Peter had to do this task. Let's see ... well, he was a fisherman! Unfortunately, that only qualified him to handle a boat, not to get out of it and walk on water. He was a failure as a disciple. In this event Jesus calls him "you of little faith". Later he claims he'll always follow Christ and Jesus tells him he'll fail miserably. Then he chops off a guy's ear and Jesus has to rebuke Him. Finally he denies (three times) he ever even knew Jesus. Yeah, that's not a "well-qualified" candidate for "can do no wrong" or for walking on water. No, Peter had no qualifications to do the task.

Still ... Peter walked on water. He actually did it. So what qualified Peter to do such a thing? There were two simple qualifications. First, he was commanded to do it by Christ. Second, he stepped out in what was the nearest thing to "blind faith" (as much as I hate the term). That's it.

This is really significant for us today. Most of us are asked by God to do things we don't really feel qualified to do. Maybe it's something big like go to the mission field or enter the ministry or marry this spouse. Maybe it's something more mundane like "go and sin no more" on a particular subject. "But, Lord," we say (with the ultimate oxymoronic phrase), "I'm not qualified. I don't have what it takes." Like Moses at the burning bush, we say, "Who am I that I should go?" (Exo 3:11) or "I am slow of speech and of tongue" (Exo 4:10). To the first God replied "I will be with you" (Exo 3:12) and to the second He replied "Who has made man's mouth?" (Exo 4:11). In other words, it's never about your qualifications. We are tasked by God to do what He wants us to do not because we're special but because He will do it.

Peter didn't last long walking on the water. What qualified him to fail? Verse 30 says, "When he saw the wind, he was afraid." And, of course, Jesus explains further that it was his doubt that made him fail.

All this to try to encourage you. Are you being asked by God to do something and are hesitant? Are you fearful because you believe you don't have what it takes? (Let me give you a hint: You probably don't have what it takes.) Are you discouraged because you don't think you can do it? (Again, you're fear is likely real.) Remember, Peter walked on water. The only thing that stopped him was when he took his eyes off Jesus, His Lord and the One who provided all he needed to accomplish what he was commanded, and looked instead at the problem. You see, in Christ we are more than conquerors ... and that's not a statement about our unique qualifications or abilities. It's a statement about His glory. In truth, when we step out to obey God without regard to our own abilities or lack thereof, we cannot fail as long as we trust.