After the Lord Jesus fed the multitude of people on the grassy plains near the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the disciples started across the sea in a boat to go to the town where some of them lived. But Jesus stayed on the nearby mountain to pray.
The Sea of Galilee is large and deep and often has stormy winds to disturb the water. That night after the disciples started across, a sudden wind came up and was “contrary” or against them, and the big waves tossed their boat.
The men rowed hard, but at the fourth watch, which was toward early morning, they had gone only a few miles on their way. Suddenly they saw Jesus coming near them, walking upon the water. They were very frightened and cried out thinking He was not real but a spirit instead.
Jesus spoke to them and His voice stopped their fear. He said, “Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid.”
Faith and Fear
It is told by Matthew that Peter asked the Lord to tell him to come to Him on the water, and the Lord Jesus said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and started to walk on the sea, but he looked at the high waves and was frightened and cried to Jesus to save him.
The Lord put out His hand and saved Peter from sinking, and at once they were by the boat and taken on board. Then right away they were at the shore where they wanted to be, though that must have been a distance of some miles.
The disciples were filled with wonder that Jesus had come to help them and that He could walk on the water. This seemed to them an even greater miracle than that He had fed the multitude the afternoon before. This proved to them that He was the Son of God. No man of earth could control the waters. But He was the Creator of the water and all things, as we read in the first part of this book of John: “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.’’
The Creator’s Power
Jesus had power to walk upon the water, and could cause Peter to do so also while he trusted Him. He had taken the form of a man to feel the sorrows of earth and to give up His life for the sins of all, yet He had the knowledge and power of earth’s Creator.
The people whom Jesus fed with the barley loaves were very surprised the next day that Jesus had come across the sea. They seem to have gone to that place by the sea, expecting Him to be there. They knew the disciples had started without Him in the evening, and there was no other boat to go in. When He was not there and some boats came to that shore they went in them to Capernaum in order to look for Him.
Further Meditation:
1. How did the Lord Jesus calm the disciples’ fears?
2. What other ways does Jesus show His power as Creator in this gospel?
3. Simon Peter: His Life and Letters by W. T. P. Wolston presents many helpful thoughts on Peter’s life including this story from John’s gospel.