seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Matthew 14:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
I like this story all by itself. Anyone who has been in Sunday School generally knows this story. Everyone seems to give Peter a lot of credit for stepping out of the boat. I give Peter credit for being open to stepping out of the boat.... but admittedly, I fault Peter for thinking he could do anything Jesus can do. I figure Jesus must have frozen the water. That would be a miracle in the area of Israel. I mean who finds frozen lakes in the desert? If Peter stepped out on the frozen water.... it would be like skating on a frozen lake.... and a strong wind... which were common in that area right before dawn.... then Peter would have been slipping and sliding and taking way too much time. Can't you just imagine the boy from the desert flailing around on the water he's so used to fishing from? So, the story rings true... right?
Now look at verse 34-36.... Jesus couldn't go anywhere without a crowd. Everywhere He went, He attracted a crowd. Herod must have figured Jesus was building up a party of His own. Herod must have seen Him as a threat to the throne. After all, Herod's dad had all those babies murdered to save the throne. Herod must have been terrified. After all, Herod was sure Jesus was the reincarnation of John the Baptist. Everywhere Jesus went, He drew large crowds. Large crowds are dangerous. They could storm Herod's castle.
Now Herod would hear tales of Jesus walking on water. Someone find the man a cross... Herod needs a cross.
