Jesus Walks on the Water

Today's Reflections

 

Jesus Walks on the Water

Mt 14:22-33

[After he fed the people,] ²²[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. ²⁴Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. ²⁵During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. ²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. ²⁷At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” ²⁸Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³²After they got into the boat, the wind died down. ³³Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

LORD, SAVE US! The story of Jesus walking on the water in the Sea of Galilee in the midst of the storm is told in the Synoptic gospels. Matthew, however, inserts into it his special tradition on Peter: how Peter is invited by Jesus to come to him on the water. Peter, who will be the leader of the early Church in Jerusalem, is given in Matthew significant roles. He is the “rock” on which Jesus builds his Church and is entrusted with the “keys to the kingdom of heaven” (cf Mt 16:18-19). Here he is invited to focus his sight on Jesus and not on the waves that threaten him. He must have more faith (trust) in the Lord.

At the Sea of Galilee, storms can come suddenly and turn violent. In the Gospel, the boat boarded by Jesus’ disciples is being tossed by the waves and strong wind so that even if they are sturdy fishermen and used to the ways of the water, they fear for their lives. They become even more terrified when they see Jesus whom they mistake for a “ghost” or water spirit. People then believe in spirits, including wind and water spirits that are thought to cause havoc on human lives. They have to pray to God to control or drive away evil or mischievous spirits.

When read by the community of Matthew, they would probably see the boat as a symbol of their community. They are being threatened by trials and persecutions on account of their faith—from both Jews and Gentiles. The incident of the storm shows the doubt of the community represented especially by Peter. But it also shows the power of Jesus who comes to save. Thus the story is a summons to renew their faith, a faith that devotes its attention to the power of the Lord, as expressed in Peter’s cry, “Lord, save me!”