WHILE
JESUS WAS alone praying on the mountain-side, the
disciples were in their ship rowing toward Capernaum. And the
multitude were returning homeward as they had come, walking
along the northern shore of the sea. After nightfall a strong
wind began to blow across the Sea, driving against the little
ship. Row as hard as they might, the disciples could not make
much progress against the wind. Higher and higher the waves
dashed and rolled, and slower the vessel plowed through them.
How tired the disciples were growing! Perhaps they were
thinking about the time when a tempest swept over the Sea and
Jesus had been with them, sleeping in the ship. Perhaps they
were wishing for his presence now, to still this stormy wind
that made their progress so wearisome and so slow. Far away on
the mountain Jesus had been praying for several hours. But he
had not forgotten his disciples. Perhaps he had been praying
for them as well as for himself. He knew how much they needed
him when the strong wind began to blow against their little
ship, and he started to go to them. Out across the water he
walked as easily as if it had been land, and nearer and nearer
he came to the tossing ship and its weary sailors. By and by
he came very near, so near that they could see him through the
darkness, walking past them on the rough waves. Now the
disciples were frightened; for every one had seen Jesus and
they believed they had seen a spirit. They did not think he
could really walk on water, for no person had ever done that.
They remembered how God had parted the waters on the Red Sea
for the Israelites to cross over on dry land, and how he had
made a dry path across the Jordan River three times for his
servant to walk upon. But never had they heard of any one
walking on top of the water. This must be a spirit. And they
cried out for fear of what they had seen.
Jesus stopped when he heard their cry, and turned to speak to
them. He said, "Do not be afraid, for it is I." How familiar
that voice sounded! Still the disciples could scarcely believe
it was Jesus who spoke.
Finally Simon Peter cried out, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you
walking on the water."
And Jesus answered "Come?"
With a bound Simon Peter leaped over the side of the ship and started to
go to Jesus. The other disciples looked on in amazement,
wondering more than ever at the great power of Jesus on both
sea and land. Presently, however, they saw their fellow
disciple beginning to sink in the rough waves, and they heard
his voice calling frantically to Jesus to help. For Simon
Peter had begun to look about at the stormy wind and waves,
and just as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus he began to
sink.
Then Jesus reached forth his hand and caught him, saying, "O
man of little faith, why did you doubt?"
When the two came to the ship, the other disciples received
them joyfully, and at once the wind ceased. Again the
disciples marveled at the wonderful power of their master, who
could perform miracles on the sea as well as on the land. And
they came to him, worshiping him and saying, "Surely you are
the Son of God."
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