Walk On Water

Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 

During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.”

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed. (Matthew 14:22-36)

According to Michael Heiser writing in Bible Study Magazine (April 2018), “The prophet Daniel’s vision of the end of days and the kingdom of God includes four beasts that emerge out of a storm-tossed sea (Daniel 7:1-8).  These beasts are not aquatic creatures by nature. They come from the sea because they represent chaos. God’s heavenly court sentences the beasts to death (Daniel 7:9-12), after which the “son of man” arrives immediately to receive the kingdom of God (Daniel 7:13–14). All of this imagery informs John’s account of Jesus walking on the sea during the storm.”  Interesting perspective.  Matthew may have had the same.

Gospel writers were influenced by the Old Testament and Paul’s letters.  After all, they were all Jews and Hebrew Scriptures formed them.  The Book of Daniel was especially important and fodder for Gospel formation.

According to our Bible, “This work [Daniel]was composed during the bitter persecution carried on by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (167–164 B.C.) and was written to strengthen and comfort the Jewish people in their ordeal. The persecution was occasioned by Antiochus’s efforts to unify his kingdom, in face of the rising power of Rome, by continuing the Hellenization begun by Alexander the Great.  Antiochus tried to force Jews to adopt Greek ways, including religious practices. Severe penalties, including death, were exacted against those who refused."

We are all faced with persecution of some kind.  Perhaps someone has spread lies about us through social media.   They are the beasts that sow chaos in our lives.  Like Jesus, we are to walk on water meaning we will not sink, suffer, and even drown in that chaos. We are to take courage and not be afraid.  God is on our side.

When we cross to the over side of the sea of despair, we will be heartened to know we were in Jesus’ boat.  The wind died down; he had stretched out his hand and caught us.    

Deacon David Pierce