Matthew 14:22-33 is the passage where Jesus walks on the water. And you will hear some well-meaning people say, “If your faith is focused on Jesus then you too can walk on water”. I’m sure that most of those are talking about rising above your circumstances, and not actually walking on water. But even then, this isn’t what Jesus was teaching here. You can’t apply this passage to mean that if you have enough faith, you’ll never see failure. And furthermore, Jesus taught that faith is not the power to withdraw the storm, but the power to withstand the storm (cf. Matthew 7:24-27). The focus of the passage is on the fact that Jesus can and did walk on water, showing that he is lord over creation. By God’s power you can do great things, but to take this passage and make it about you is to miss the point. People say focus on Jesus not on the storm, but I also say focus on Jesus not on Peter. Don’t focus on what Peter could have done, or what you think you can do, focus on Jesus and what he is doing and has done. That is the focus of this passage, not on your faith giving you water walking ability but your faith in a water walking God. It is not that Jesus gives you the power to save yourself; it is that Jesus is the power to save you, and he does save you. That is the essence of the gospel message.
This was the second time Jesus calmed a storm before the disciples (Matthew 8:23-27). This event was immediately after feeding the 5000, but now it was the 4th watch, between 3-6 am: it was stormy, they were tired and they thought they saw a ghost!
Jesus walked on water to show that he was lord over creation and the divine Messiah. Moses parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14) – Jesus can just walk across it. Joshua parted the Jordan (Joshua 3:14-17). Elijah parted the Jordan (2 Kings 2:8). Elisha also parted the Jordan (2 Kings 2:13-14). This miracle shows you that Jesus is greater than Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Elisha.
Job 9:8 says that God alone can tread on the waves. Jesus walking on the water was a testimony to his divinity. God alone can do this. Jesus is God. Peter tried and could not (vs.28-30). This was a testimony to Jesus being lord over creation, not a testimony to your water walking power of faith. The disciples worshiped Jesus in response (vs.32-33).
There was a further miracle. John 6:19-21 – although they had gone about 3½ miles, once Jesus came into the ship it immediately arrived at the land. Only God has this sort of power.
Jesus isn’t calling you to walk on the water; he is calling you to himself. Your faith must be in him. Sometimes you can seem to do the impossible, but even when you fail, he did not, has not, and will not fail. Your faith, your trust must finally be in him alone, for only he cannot fail. I’m not trying to be down on you or down on me, I’m trying to be up on Jesus!
I’m not saying don’t attempt great things, I’m saying DO attempt great things, but even if you fail to walk on water, Jesus won’t. Yes, use what God has given you, yes, develop whatever skills you can and use them for the glory of God. Enjoy the good graces that have been bestowed upon you, but the bottom line is you must trust Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, and trust this life you live daily as well as death and eternity to him. Walking on water is not your role, it is not some matter of stirring up your faith so that you can, it is about calling on Jesus who did and who can.
Peter called out to Jesus twice. Once asking to walk on the water. And then to save him as he was sinking in the water. Sometimes you say, “God help me rise above my stormy circumstances”. And sometimes you cry out “Lord, save me from the storm, I can’t do it”. Peter cried out, and the Lord saved him. It’s not the strength of your faith, but the power of God that saves you.
You don’t have to walk on water, you just walk by faith, and if you do, the waves may get high and the wind might get strong but you will never sink without being able to call on Christ, who will never leave you nor forsake you. And even if you do sink, Jesus is still with you. You walk by faith, not by sight, and you walk by the Spirit, not by the flesh. This is a spiritual thing; even if physical things turn stormy Jesus is still with you and will deliver you, perhaps not out of the immediate storm, but out of the storms of doubt as to who he really is and what he can really do. Most importantly what he has already done and will do for you if you will believe him and be saved. Don’t focus on Peter, and don’t focus on yourself, focus on Jesus. He can do the impossible. You don’t need to walk on water to prove your faith.
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