Crash Course, Walk on Water?
Walk on Water?
Every time I tour on the Sea of Galilee, I hear people suggest that with enough faith, we too could walk on water. On the other hand, one of my Israeli guide colleagues attempted to recruit me into his course of walking on hot coals – with the challenge, “Your Jesus had Peter walking on water, I can have you walking on hot coals.” My immediate question was, “For what reason would I want to walk on hot coals?” He said, “Once I’ve taught you how to walk on hot coals, you can do anything you want to do in your life.” My heart answered, “I don’t want to do what I want to do, I want to do what the Lord wants me to do.”
Does Lord want you to walk on the water? What does it take to walk on water, or for that matter walk on hot coals? More faith?
On the Sea of Galilee, Jesus walked on the water; the Apostles were astonished and even frightened “. . . they supposed it had been a spirit . . . and were troubled.” (Mark 6:49-50) Jesus bid Peter to walk, but when Peter began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus then helped him, saying,
“Wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Mathew 14:25-32)
Jesus Walking on Water
Was Jesus teaching Peter, personally? After all, Peter cried out, “Lord save me!” You might think of it this way; was Jesus reminding him that he did not need to doubt – that Jesus came to save? Most of Jesus’ miracles were very personal and had great private value for the receiver, and we are privileged to learn from the experience, too! Somehow, the lesson of walking on water is to have faith, in the Lord!
The Apostle’s name was Simon, Bar Jonah, (Son of Jonas). Jesus ‘nicknamed’ him Peter, the rock. What do rocks do in the water? As Peter “the rock” sank, was the Lord teaching him that he, Jesus, was the “Rock of Salvation?” This was a private, personal lesson of great value to the “Prophet-to-be.” And every Prophet, before and after has learned the same lesson . . . this is the Lord’s work.
If he wants you to walk on water, it will be his will, his miracle, his special lesson . . . for you.
Remember your dream of walking in the footsteps of the Savior?
