Walking on Water

Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus sends the guys (all of them this time) to go on ahead while he stays and prays by himself for a while. I think I can understand this. It says he dismissed the crowds first. He probably could use a little peace and quiet and some time to hear his own thoughts and the words of his father when he prayed.

There are songs and paintings of this idea of Jesus walking on water. And I would certainly make a big deal of it if I was around someone who was doing it...but as we read this it ISN'T a big deal it is almost off-hand. It seems that Jesus could get there faster than they could as they struggled against the wind and waves. It could be the very ease with which he walked that surprised them-well not entirely but why would they think he was a ghost-wouldn't they normally just wonder how he was doing it? No they saw something more than a man walking across the surface of the water they saw the Master of the sea. When they realize that it is Jesus and he has walked on the sea that is what they shout-truly you are the Son of God.

What happens with Peter here? He says wow if you are doing it I want to do it too! Or rather does he say if that is really you call me out to do the same thing? Is it in doubt that he even asks this question?
Is it a taunt?  Notice Jesus doesn't say yes I just said it was me, he just says COME. Peter either smartly or because he doesn't have a choice comes. Instead of marveling at the wonder of it, he is again afraid. But what he says is perfect. "Lord, save me." No matter the circumstance we can say the same. No more need be said. Lord, save me, is all it takes. It says immediately Jesus reached out his hand to him. Jesus says something interesting. He says Peter had little faith-and asked why he doubted. I wonder why he asks that question? He doesn't ask why they were afraid, or why Peter wanted to come out on the water. He didn't ask why he called for help. None of those things were reasons to call to Peter's attention, but rather why he had doubted; this was something he wanted Peter to answer. The men in the boat, this time knew who they were with; truly you are the Son of God, they said.

Interesting isn't it that now is when the people on the shore were so inspired, that they believed even touching the hem of Jesus' garment would make them well, and it did heal them. For Peter touching Jesus' hand while on the water was enough to save him from sinking, for these people on the shore, just a touch was all it took to heal. This illustration, coming as it does on the heels of the other gives us a glimpse of what not doubting can do.

One little thing in addition that I noticed, was that this 'hem of his garment' in the Hebrew tradition is the tzitzit or the tassels of the prayer shawl. Interesting, I think that in touching Jesus on his prayer shawl we might be healed. Is it in joining in the prayer of the Lord that we can be healed? I believe it would be a good thing.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie