Jesus Walks on Water
A figure on the waves at night, and Peter's brief, sinking walk of faith.
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus comes to the disciples' storm-tossed boat walking on the sea. Peter asks to come to him and walks on the water — until he sees the wind and begins to sink, crying, Lord, save me. Jesus catches him, and those in the boat worship, saying, of a truth thou art the Son of God.
What happened
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Peter walked on the water... but when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.
What it means
The miracle is first of all a revelation of who Jesus is. To walk upon the sea is, in the Old Testament, the prerogative of God alone. The disciples' response — of a truth thou art the Son of God — is the correct conclusion, and the first time in Matthew the whole group confesses it.
Peter's part of the story is the church's favourite, because it is so human. He does the impossible as long as his eyes are on Jesus, and begins to sink the moment he looks at the wind. His faith is real but fragile — enough to get out of the boat, not yet enough to finish the walk. Jesus' rebuke is gentle: o thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
The tenderest detail is the timing: immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him. He did not let Peter sink to teach him a lesson, nor wait for a more articulate prayer than Lord, save me — three words are enough. The sinking disciple and the outstretched hand are a picture of grace for everyone whose faith falters mid-storm.