Miracles happen every day. They can happen to you if you let them.
Recently I say this image on Facebook, and I said, “Wow, there is a miracle if I ever saw one.” Look what happened in only 118 years. The image was particularly poignant to me because my grandmother was born in 1903. She passed in the late 1990s, but she saw a lot of miraculous human advancements in her life.
Yet, in a world filled with scientific advancements and technological marvels, the miracles of the Bible often seem like relics of an ancient past. Many people today discount biblical miracles as mere legends or myths.
Yet, if we truly believe that Jesus Christ walked on earth as God incarnate, then the miracles he performed are not only possible but purposeful. They serve as powerful lessons that extend far beyond the moment in which they occurred.
One such miracle is found in Matthew 14:22-33, when Jesus walks on water and invites Peter to do the same. This account offers valuable life lessons that are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago. By examining Jesus’ actions, Peter’s response, and the outcome of this miraculous moment, we can get practical insights that help us live for Christ today.
Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
The first lesson we learn from the account of Jesus walking on water is that Jesus meets us exactly where we are, even in the most unlikely and unsettling places.
After feeding the five thousand, Jesus instructed his disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while he went up the mountain to pray.
As night fell, a strong wind rose, and the waves battered the boat. It was during the darkest hours of the night, when the disciples were exhausted and afraid, that Jesus came to them, walking on the water (Matthew 14:25).
Jesus Shows Up in Unexpected Places
It is easy to overlook the significance of where Jesus chose to meet his disciples—on the tumultuous surface of a lake. In many ways, this unexpected setting is a metaphor for the circumstances of our lives.
We often encounter Jesus not in the comfort of our routines or during times of peace, but in the storms of life when we feel most vulnerable and afraid.
Just as the disciples did not expect Jesus to appear on the water, we may not always recognize his presence in the midst of our struggles. Yet, he comes to us, often in ways we do not anticipate.
Jesus Draws Near in Our Distress
When the disciples saw Jesus walking toward them on the water, they were terrified, thinking he was a ghost. But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).
In the midst of our fears and doubts, Jesus meets us where we are, bringing his presence and peace even before the storm is over.
His words are comforting and personal. Jesus didn’t wait for the disciples to come to him or to muster up enough faith; he approached them in their fear. This demonstrates a profound truth about the character of God—he is not distant or aloof but draws near when we are at our weakest.
Jesus Offers Peace Amid the Storm
The storm was still raging when Jesus approached the boat, yet his presence alone brought a sense of calm. In our own lives, we often pray for the storm to end, for the circumstances around us to change. But Jesus offers us peace “amid” the storm, not necessarily an escape from it.
His presence is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter how dire our situation appears. He meets us right where we are, and his words echo through time: “Do not be afraid.”
Stepping Out in Faith
We must step out in faith, even when the circumstances seem impossible. Peter, ever the impulsive disciple, called out to Jesus, saying, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28).
Jesus simply replied, “Come.” Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
Faith Requires Us to Leave Our Comfort Zone
Peter’s first step was an act of tremendous faith. He had to leave the safety of the boat—a place of relative security—even though the waves were high and the wind was strong.
This mirrors our own experiences when Jesus calls us to step out in faith. Whether it’s pursuing a new job, entering into a relationship, or sharing our faith with someone, Jesus often asks us to leave what is familiar and take a risk.
I have discussed the importance of leaving our comfort zones in this article. Our comfort zones are just jails without bars, and few miracles happen when we are hiding from the world.
Faith, by its very nature, requires us to trust God in situations that feel uncertain or even impossible. Faith calls us to leave the boat behind, to step out even when the waves are high, trusting in Jesus to hold us up.
The Power of Obeying Jesus’ Call
When Peter obeyed Jesus’ call, he did the impossible: he walked on water. This moment serves as a powerful reminder that when we respond to Jesus in faith, he enables us to do what we could never accomplish on our own.
Deciding to follow Jesus is the easy part. Being obedient to doing his will on a daily basis is the hard part.
It wasn’t Peter’s skill or strength that kept him afloat; it was his trust in Jesus. Likewise, when we take a step of faith in obedience to Christ, we can experience his power working through us in ways we never imagined.
Peter’s faith was not a passive belief but an active step. He had to physically get out of the boat. Similarly, our faith is not simply a matter of agreeing with certain truths; it is demonstrated through our actions. James 2:17 reminds us that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Genuine faith moves us to action, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus
The final lesson we learn from this miracle is perhaps the most important. That is, when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we are safe.
As Peter walked on the water, he noticed the wind and waves around him, and he began to sink. In his fear, he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31).
Distractions Lead to Doubt
Peter was doing fine as long as he kept his focus on Jesus. But the moment he became distracted by the storm, he began to sink. This is a vivid picture of what happens when we take our eyes off Jesus.
Lots of good people in the Bible got distracted and it did not end well for them. Three examples:
- Samson. God gave him a unique identity and task to complete. He allowed Delilah to distract him (Judges 16).
- David. Lust distracted him from doing God’s will (2 Samuel 11)
- Martha. She got distracted by business and failed to focus on the presence of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42).
The problems of life—the figurative wind and waves—can easily overwhelm us if we focus on them instead of on Christ. When our attention shifts from God’s promises to our circumstances, doubt creeps in, and our faith falters.
Paul reminds us to give our “undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:35), and that means living without the distractions that so often tempt us.
Jesus Is Our Safety Net
Even though Peter’s faith wavered, Jesus didn’t let him drown. The moment Peter cried out for help, Jesus was there to save him. This is proof that Jesus is always ready to catch us, even when we stumble in our faith.
Jesus does not condemn Peter harshly but offers a gentle rebuke and a hand up. In our own lives, we can be assured that when we cry out to Jesus, he will respond with grace and rescue.
Faith Grows Through Testing
This experience was a test of faith for Peter, and though he faltered, it ultimately strengthened his trust in Jesus. Our own faith grows in the same way—through challenges and trials that push us to rely more deeply on Christ.
James 1:3 says, “For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we find the courage to walk through the storms of life.
When we fix our gaze on Jesus, we find the strength to rise above our fears and doubts, knowing he is there to catch us if we fall.
Step Out of Your Boat
The story of Jesus and Peter walking on water is more than a miracle; it’s a message for us today. Jesus meets us in our storms, invites us to step out in faith, and teaches us to keep our eyes fixed on him. These lessons are not abstract theological concepts but practical truths we can apply in our daily lives.
1. Recognize Jesus’ Presence in Your Life
In every storm, pause and look for Jesus. Remember, he meets us where we are, even when the situation seems impossible.
2. Step Out in Faith
Identify one area in your life where God is calling you to leave the safety of your “boat.” Take that step, trusting him to guide you.
3. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
In moments of doubt or fear, consciously turn your focus back to Jesus. Remember his promises and call out to him when you need help.
By applying these lessons, you can become a wave walker. That will enable you to experience the power and peace of Jesus in your lives, no matter what storms come your way.
Sources cited: Unless otherwise noted, Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
