Walking On Water And Other Tall Tales Of Faith-Part 1

They saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” -John 6:19-20

Is It Scientifically Possible To Walk On Water?

Is it possible to walk on water? Well, according to Harsh Gupta, Yes! If the water is thick enough, cold enough, or the person is fast enough. But then we would have to question if walking on dense water is walking on water, or is it more like sprinting over quicksand? And does the cold water have to be so cold that it is frozen? Because then it is ice. As for running fast enough, think road-runner fast; 70 mph. So is it scientifically possible to walk on water? Hmm.

Jesus Walks On Water

One of the most fantastical stories of the Bible is when Jesus walked on water. It should be no surprise that this is one of my favorite episodes. I mean, it’s all centered around a miracle and faith. 

• Jesus’ sudden appearance as He came walking on the water towards the disciples. 
• Their screams of terror as they watched what they supposed was an apparition passing by them. 
• Jesus’ blessed assurance as He announced Who He was. 
• Peter’s call for proof. “If it is truly You, Lord, call me out of the boat, so that I can walk on water too.” 

Jesus called for Peter to come, and stepping out on faith, Peter began his walk to fame.

I wonder what Peter thought as he sat down on the side of the boat and swung his feet over the edge? As he looked at Jesus and slid his feet down the starboard side of the boat until he felt the ice-cold water splash upon his legs and over his sandals. Did it feel like concrete, like a solid piece of ice, or a cloud, unsteady and wispy? Full of faith, knowing that the Son of God had called Him out of the boat, Peter began walking to Jesus! And as quickly as he started, he began to sink. 

Jesus reached out and saved Peter and helped him back into the boat.

I’ve often heard this story told with the moral being Peter took his eyes off Jesus, and that’s what caused him to sink. And when He was safely back into the boat, Jesus reprimanded him for not having enough faith to stay afloat.

A New Twist To An Old Tale

 I recently read an article that made me think we could put another twist on this tale and glean another golden nugget from its storyline. What if, instead of Peter walking by faith, he was doubtful of the identity of Jesus? What if Peter didn’t want to do the thing Jesus told Him to do–stay in the boat–, but he desired to do something extraordinary instead?

I can’t prove anything I’m about to say, but I think if we look at it from a different angle, we may find encouragement in its tale.

Walking on Water vs. Staying in the Boat

After a day of miracles, teaching, and ministering to thousands of people, Jesus instructed the disciples to get into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake. In the meantime, Jesus dismissed the crowd and then went up alone into the mountains to pray.

Jesus prayed late into the evening and then started His way to the other side of the lake. Except instead of getting another boat or walking around the lake, Jesus walked across the water.

The Scream Team

The disciples had been crossing the water since early that evening, and as dawn approached, the seas became rough and kept pushing them back from their destination. 

As the disciples struggled against the weather, they looked out into the storm and saw an apparition–a spirit–coming towards them. The Bible records that they were afraid and began to scream. I mean, I don’t blame them, but it’s hard to picture a boat full of men sitting in the middle of a lake screaming. 

The Master Calls

Terrorized by the circumstances surrounding them, a reassuring call comes over the water’s surface. “Be courageous!” Jesus called out. “It is I. You have nothing to fear.”

But Peter was not entirely convinced; he wanted proof. “If it is really You, Lord, tell me to come to You on the water.”

And we know the rest of the story; Jesus said come, Peter did, but then he began to sink, and Jesus had to save him.

As Jesus helped Peter back into the boat, He asked, “Why did you doubt?” 

We suppose Peter had great faith as he asked Jesus to walk on water and then lost his faith when he saw the raging storm. That’s why, we assume, Jesus asked Peter, “why did you doubt?” But what if Jesus’ reprimand of Peter was for something else?

Fickle Faith

Let’s start by questioning Peter’s request to be called to come out of the boat. In the old scenario, Peter is likened to those who are “called out of the boat to do great things for God.” 

Of course, those people are encouraged not to take their eyes off of Jesus (like Peter did), and they will succeed. But Peter was not asking to walk on water to do something great for God’s glory. 

And why did Jesus reprimand Peter for his lack of faith? Peter had faith. As he stood on the water and saw the angry waves whip around him, he became fearful. But fearful is not faithless.

What if Jesus rebuked Peter for his doubting of Jesus walking on water? Peter said, “If it is You…”. 

Focused Faith

Peter was impetuous, the Bible says as much. But if we look at the other disciples, we find them in the same boat with Peter doing what they had been told to do–go to the other side of the lake. As far as we know, they didn’t question Jesus’ statement, “It is I.” No one else asked Jesus to prove Himself.

I venture to say that when Jesus approached the boat, although they were afraid at first (remember the screaming), they did not question the Lord once they heard His voice through the crashing waves. (John 6:20-21) According to John and Mark, Jesus came, and they were happy to see Him!

Join The Conversation

Christians are called to walk by faith. Some of us are brimming with faith, and some of us struggle with our faith at times. But faith is our common ground. By faith, we accept Christ as Savior; by faith, we believe He is God; by faith, we believe in Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, His crucifixion, and resurrected body.

In this version of walking on water, I’ve questioned where Peter struggled with his faith. Was it in the boat, as he questioned Jesus? Or was it on the water when he saw the circumstances surrounding him? What do you think?

Let me know in the comments below. 

Come back next week and read part two of this article, Walking On Water-Peter’s Walk Of Fame Or Shame.