Why did Jesus walk on water? I believe He wanted to strengthen the disciples’ faith and show them what His power could do when their circumstances were beyond their control. The storm they could not overcome was no obstacle to Him.
I want you to see what that means for your own life. When you cannot see a way through what you are facing, Jesus can still reach you. The things that are over your head are already under His feet.
We find this miracle in Matthew 14:22–33, Mark 6:45–52, and John 6:16–21. Let us look at the setting before we consider six lessons I believe Jesus was teaching through it.
Fear came after a miracle
Jesus had just fed the five thousand. Everyone had eaten, and twelve baskets of fragments remained. Then He directed His disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him while He dismissed the crowd and went to pray.
They left a remarkable miracle and soon found themselves struggling against the wind and waves. Mark tells us they had not understood the significance of the loaves (Mark 6:52).
Have you ever seen God provide and then found yourself afraid when the next difficulty came? Do not feel alone. These disciples had seen a miracle, and they still struggled with fear. They were human.
I believe Jesus used this storm to strengthen their faith. He had sent them ahead, and their difficulty did not prevent Him from coming to them.
Jesus came across the water
During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. They were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. He identified Himself and told them not to be afraid.
Matthew tells us that Peter asked Jesus to call him out onto the water. Jesus called him, and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked toward Him. But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became afraid and began to sink.
Here is a lesson we need to keep before us: keep your attention on Jesus. Peter was already experiencing a miracle, but fear of his circumstances began to overwhelm him. He cried out for rescue, and Jesus immediately reached out and caught him.
When they entered the boat, the wind ceased. John adds that after the disciples received Jesus into the boat, it was immediately at the land toward which they were going (John 6:21). I believe that immediate arrival was another miracle in this journey.
Six lessons to strengthen your faith
First, Jesus can always get to you. The disciples were out on the sea, struggling in the darkness, and He came to them. Wherever you are, however far you have run, you are not beyond His reach. When you cannot see how to get to Him, remember that He can get to you.
Second, Jesus is master over storms. You may be dealing with a situation you cannot resolve. You may have said everything you know to say and done everything you know to do. I want you to put your trust in the Lord who can reach where you cannot and calm what you cannot calm.
Third, the elements obey His command. In the separate account in Mark 4:35–41, Jesus commands the wind and sea, and the storm becomes calm. Both miracles show us His authority. The wind and water are subject to Him.
Fourth, some of your greatest miracles can happen in a crisis. The disciples encountered His power while they were afraid and struggling. Their difficulty became the setting in which they saw Him do what they had never expected. Let that encourage you to trust Him in your trial.
Fifth, supernatural power exceeds natural limitations. This was real water. Peter could sink in it, and Jesus could walk on it. Jesus did not need the water to become a solid surface. A miracle goes beyond what we can explain through ordinary natural ability. Do not judge His supernatural power only by what seems naturally possible.
Sixth, the things that are over your head are already under His feet. The water that frightened the disciples was beneath Jesus as He came toward them. What overwhelmed them did not overwhelm Him. Let that picture strengthen your confidence in the Lord.
Trust the One who can reach you
The disciples responded by worshipping Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 14:33). His power had become clear to them in the middle of their fear.
If you are facing circumstances beyond your control, keep your attention on Him. If you are struggling, cry out to Him as Peter did. You can bring your fear and your need to the Savior who came across the water.
Jesus can reach you. Trust Him with the storm you cannot calm.
