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.

Walking Through The Storms of Life

Jesus, you call us to walk through the storms of life by faith.  In the darkness of our nights of sickness, anguish, and isolation you walk out into the storm and reach out a hand.  Some of us snarl and bite at you, bitter that you seemed far away.  Some are petulant and passive.  We expect you to come to us and show up on our own terms.  Such an attitude is most common today.  A few of us step out into the stormy night with our eyes fixed upon you.  However, even when we take those faltering steps the storms of life draw us away from our commitment to follow you and we start sinking.  Jesus, save us!  As we struggle toward you help us to be singular in our focus.  Help me not to focus on ungraded papers, coming deadlines, and the sicknesses that friends of mine are struggling with.  Help we to look to you and walk through those storms with increased grace and serenity.

Help us to think of you as the one who walks through these storms with us but is unperturbed. Help us to look to your strength.  Help us not to be proud in the vain belief that what we accomplish was possible without you.  Help us to be grateful and lean on you in the trials and storms that are sure to come.  Our house is still unsold.  We could obsess on each potential buyer: “Is this the one?” I think it will be better if we do what we can in your strength and then move on to something else.  Our adoptive son meets his birth mother for Easter today.  We could fret about what she might say to him about being his ‘real’ mother, or we could do what we can and just trust in you to take care of the things we don’t control.

We want control, so badly.  We want to seem independent.  Help us to focus on you and to take hold of your hand as you lead us to safety.

Questions

1. Why were the disciples startled?
2. How did Peter succeed?  how did he fail?
3. What does Jesus tell Peter he lacks?
4. How are faith, trust, and control related?
5. What storms are you going through?  How would Jesus have you walk through the storm?