Sink or Walk: Why Jesus Walked on Water

The disciples who were gathered in the boat see Jesus walking on the water and believe that they are seeing a ghost. The sight grips them with fear. There comes a fierce storm with what they believe to be a ghost. High winds blow water into the boat. Waves buffet the boat erratically back and forth. There was much to inspire fear. Yet they had nothing to fear. 

Jesus had directed the disciples to take a boat out onto the sea while He dismissed the crowds. Jesus wanted to take time to be with His Father in prayer. Storms were common on the Sea of Galilee. Warm air from the Mediterranean Sea moved east, passing over the mountains and mixing with the cool air. This created storms in the atmosphere over the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding area. 

The disciples have been out on the water for some time before Jesus comes walking. Matthew notes that it was the fourth watch of the night. This is 3:00 to 6:00 a.m. The disciples are likely tired, hungry, wet, and frightened. Amid the wind, waves, darkness, and chaos, the disciples believe they have seen a ghost. 

With these words, the disciples have no excuse. Jesus identifies Himself. It is not a ghost but Jesus walking on the water. Jesus has given the disciples plenty of reason to trust. Just before this event, He took five loaves and two fish and fed more than five thousand people. 

He demonstrates His mastery over the wind and the waves. It is important that we take this one step further. Jesus does not merely have control over the wind and the waves but also over all creation. It is His. He made it. It is only by Jesus’ allowance that the storm came at all. 

Essentially, the disciples gave into the fear of nature. They attributed more power to the wind and waves than to Jesus who created them. How often do we do the same? Perhaps it is not the wind and waves that we fear but illness, the opinions of others, financial breakdown, relationship failure, and job loss. The list goes on. 

There is nothing wrong with a degree of healthy concern, but to fear is to—like the disciples—attribute more power to the things of the world than to the One who made them. Finally, this is a form of worship. We worship what we believe can give us what we have decided we need. 

Notice how things transpire. The winds cease as Jesus steps into the boat. The presence of Jesus brings peace. With Jesus, there is safety. Indeed, the boat became a sacred space. Of course, Jesus is present everywhere. Yet, Jesus has chosen a space where the disciples would receive Him. Does this sound familiar? 

As Catholics, we have spaces where we worship that we consider sacred. They are sacred because Jesus is present there. As Jesus made the boat a place to encounter Him in safety, God’s children receive Jesus safely in the sanctuary. As Christ was present in the boat bodily, He is present with us in the Sacrament of The Eucharist. It is also in worship that we hear Jesus’ soothing message of forgiveness, which bids our fears to cease like the wind and the waves. 

There is no fear with Jesus, not only because He is the Creator—and therefore creation’s master—but also because Jesus has put to rest what we ought to fear the most: sin, death, and the power of evil.  Through faith, we stand safely in the Lord’s presence. By being present with us in Word and Sacrament, Jesus will sustain us until He takes us to the ultimate sacred space.