The walking on the water

MATTHEW 14:22-36

JESUS made the disciples get into the boat and precede Him to the other side of the sea, while He dismissed the crowds. After doing so, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, He came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did Him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged Him that they might touch only the tassel on His cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.

REFLECTION HE CAME TOWARD THEM, WALKING ON THE SEA. The story of Jesus walking on the water immediately follows the feeding of the five thousand. Many Bible scholars see here a reference to the Lord’s mighty acts in saving the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land: The feeding with manna that they might not die of famine in the desert, and the crossing of the Red Sea that they might escape Pharaoh and his charioteers.

From the mountain where He is praying, Jesus sees the disciples being tossed about by the waves. When he comes to them walking on the water, they imagine Him to be a ghost about to give them fright and harm. But He reassures them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” “It is I” renders the Greek Ego eimi (“I am”), the name with which God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush (cf Ex 3:14). God showed His power over the waves and the sea (cf Ps 77:20; Jb 9:8). Here, Jesus shows the same power by walking on the sea.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2018,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.