Walking on Water

Jesus finally got to take a break. At first it didn’t seem that he would. He got into a boat and took off across the sea. But some people saw him and guessed where he would be going, and they got there first. By the time he arrived they were waiting, holding up sick children and old parents and asking him to heal them. Because he was Jesus, he relented. He could tell that they wanted to hear the good news about God’s love for them.

Jesus healed and preached for so long that it was way past dinnertime when he finally finished. By then his disciples were hungry and cranky, and asked him to send everyone away so they could eat. “You feed them,” he said. They protested and said that they didn’t have enough food. So he took the little that they had brought along, blessed and broke it, and gave it back to them to distribute. Not only did it feed everyone, but there was a lot left over.

Now Jesus could command his disciples to get into the boat and take off. Then he dismissed the crowd. Finally he was alone, able to go up into the mountain and pray. He prayed for all the people he had healed and he prayed for those cranky disciples and he prayed that God’s Spirit would be with him for the days ahead.

Meanwhile the disciples were out at sea, struggling against the wind and waves. They toiled all night but despaired of ever reaching shore. Then, shortly before the first light of dawn was to appear, they saw something white, walking on top of the waves. A ghost! A phantasm! They cried out in terror.

Then it spoke. “Have courage,” it said, in a familiar voice. “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They recognized the voice, but Peter needed proof. “Lord, if it is indeed you,” he said, “command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus knew what would happen, but he still said, “Come.” So Peter clambered down out of the boat and into the water. He started walking with his eyes fixed on Jesus.

Then a wave splashed him in the face. He blinked, and suddenly remembered how exhausted he was, and how the boat had pitched on the waves. He took his eyes off Jesus to look at the surging water. He got scared all over again. And he started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out.

Immediately Jesus reached out and grabbed Peter. He held him firmly until they got to the boat. Then as soon as they both climbed in, the wind stopped.

Did all of this really once happen? As a scientist, I used to get all worked up about the reality and details of this passage. Eventually I realized that it is a narrative, where the story is what’s important, not its historicity as we understand it. And the story is very clear, even today. Jesus comes into the midst of fear and says, “Have courage. Do not be afraid.” As long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can do whatever God asks us to do. And even if we do take our eyes off Jesus and fear returns, he will reach out and hold us until we reach safety. Walking on water may have happened, or it may not. But the promise that God will be with us in the midst of whatever life brings is a truth that is not dependent on historicity. It’s as true as having to take an occasional break from cranky disciples and pressing crowds.

[Pentecost 9: Matthew 14:22-33.]