Walking on Water With Jesus!

It’s easy to mock the disciples for doubting Jesus. Over and over again, the disciples saw Jesus heal. They saw him raise the dead and cast out demons. They saw him teach with authority and display power. And over and again the disciples showed their foolishness in just how little they believed in Jesus. In this instance, the disciples had just witnessed Jesus receiving two fish and five loaves of bread to feed thousands. But now, just a few hours later, they were terrified to see Jesus walking on the water to them. Peter, still doubting, greets his teacher with “Lord, if it is you tell me to come to you on the water.” If it is you? When Jesus grants his request he still doubts. Once Peter realizes what he is doing with Jesus and how fragile his situation is and how little control he possesses over it he begins to doubt again and sink. It’s easy to chuckle and scoff at the disciples. It’s easy to secretly self-congratulate ourselves for having a stronger faith than they. But we are simply arrogant and unwise when we do so. We have the benefit of hindsight. We have the luxury of examining their trials from the comfort of our homes. We didn’t sit through the storm. We didn’t peer out at Jesus through the pounding waves and rising winds from a primitive boat.