Jesus Walks on Water
Teaches about faith and trust in Christ during trials.
"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
Matthew 14:27
Key Verse
"Matthew 14:31 - Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"
Story Background
The story of Jesus walking on water takes place immediately after the feeding of the five thousand, when Jesus had miraculously multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd. After this miracle, Jesus sends His disciples ahead in a boat while He goes up on a mountainside to pray alone. The disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a strong wind creates rough waves, making their journey difficult and dangerous. This story demonstrates Jesus' complete authority over nature and His ability to transcend natural laws. It also shows His care for His disciples, as He comes to them in their time of need. The story highlights Peter's faith and his willingness to step out of the boat, but also his human weakness when he takes his eyes off Jesus and begins to sink. This narrative reveals important truths about faith, doubt, and Jesus' power to save us even when we fail. It also shows how Jesus uses our failures as opportunities to teach us about trust and His constant presence.
Characters
Jesus
The Son of God who walks on water and calls Peter to faith
Personality: Powerful, caring, patient, teaching, encouraging
Motivations: To help His disciples, teach them about faith, demonstrate His power
Peter
One of Jesus' closest disciples who steps out of the boat in faith
Personality: Impulsive, courageous, faithful, but also fearful and doubting
Motivations: To be with Jesus, demonstrate his faith, overcome his fears
Transformation: From faith to doubt to rescue, learning about trust
The Other Disciples
The remaining disciples who stay in the boat and witness the miracle
Personality: Fearful, amazed, worshipful, learning
Motivations: To survive the storm, learn from Jesus, grow in faith
The Wind and Waves
The stormy conditions that make the disciples' journey difficult
Personality: Powerful, threatening, uncontrollable by humans
Story Plot
Jesus Sends the Disciples Ahead
After feeding the five thousand, Jesus makes the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismisses the crowd.
Matthew 14:22
Significance: Shows Jesus' planning and His disciples' obedience
Jesus Goes to Pray
After dismissing the crowd, Jesus goes up on a mountainside by himself to pray, showing His need for communion with the Father.
Matthew 14:23
Significance: Demonstrates Jesus' prayer life and His dependence on God
The Disciples' Journey
The disciples are in the boat, far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind is against them.
Matthew 14:24
Significance: Shows the disciples' struggle and the difficulty of their situation
The Fourth Watch of the Night
During the fourth watch of the night (between 3-6 AM), Jesus goes out to them, walking on the lake.
Matthew 14:25
Significance: Shows Jesus' timing and His awareness of His disciples' need
The Disciples' Fear
When the disciples see Jesus walking on the lake, they are terrified and cry out, 'It's a ghost!'
Matthew 14:26
Significance: Shows how fear can distort our perception of God's presence
Jesus' Reassurance
Immediately Jesus speaks to them, saying, 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'
Matthew 14:27
Significance: Shows Jesus' care and His desire to calm their fears
Peter's Request
Peter responds, 'Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.'
Matthew 14:28
Significance: Shows Peter's faith and his desire to be with Jesus
Jesus' Invitation
Jesus says, 'Come,' inviting Peter to step out in faith.
Matthew 14:29
Significance: Shows Jesus' willingness to help us grow in faith
Peter's Faith Walk
Peter gets down out of the boat, walks on the water, and comes toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:29
Significance: Shows the power of faith and Peter's courage
Peter's Doubt
But when Peter sees the wind, he is afraid and, beginning to sink, cries out, 'Lord, save me!'
Matthew 14:30
Significance: Shows how taking our eyes off Jesus leads to doubt and fear
Jesus' Rescue
Immediately Jesus reaches out his hand and catches Peter, saying, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'
Matthew 14:31
Significance: Shows Jesus' immediate help and His gentle correction
The Return to the Boat
When they climb into the boat, the wind dies down, showing Jesus' control over nature.
Matthew 14:32
Significance: Demonstrates Jesus' complete authority over creation
The Disciples' Worship
The disciples in the boat worship Jesus, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'
Matthew 14:33
Significance: Shows how Jesus' miracles lead to worship and recognition of His divinity
Key Lessons
Jesus has complete authority over all creation, including natural forces
Faith enables us to do things that seem impossible
Taking our eyes off Jesus leads to doubt and fear
Jesus is always ready to rescue us when we call out to Him
Our failures can become opportunities for Jesus to teach us about trust
Jesus often comes to us in our darkest moments
True faith requires stepping out of our comfort zones
Jesus' presence brings peace and calm to our storms
Symbolism & Meaning
The Boat
Our comfort zones and the places where we feel safe
Matthew 14:22
The Storm
The difficulties and challenges we face in life
Matthew 14:24
Walking on Water
Doing the impossible through faith in Jesus
Matthew 14:29
Sinking
What happens when we take our eyes off Jesus
Matthew 14:30
Jesus' Hand
God's immediate help and rescue when we call out
Matthew 14:31
Historical Context
Time & Society
Period: Around 30 AD, during Jesus' ministry
Social Structure: Teacher-disciple relationships, fishing communities
Religion & Culture
Worship: Jewish prayer, discipleship, miracle expectations
Lifestyle: Roman-occupied Galilee, Jewish fishing culture
Theological Themes
Divine Authority
Jesus demonstrates His complete control over natural forces
Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth
Faith and Doubt
The story shows the tension between faith and doubt in the Christian life
Faith enables us to do what seems impossible
Divine Rescue
Jesus immediately rescues Peter when he calls out for help
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble
Worship Response
The disciples respond to Jesus' miracle with worship and recognition of His divinity
Miracles should lead us to worship and acknowledge God's power
Modern Applications
Understanding that Jesus has power over all the difficulties we face
Recognizing that faith enables us to do things beyond our natural abilities
Learning to keep our eyes on Jesus rather than on our circumstances
Understanding that Jesus is always ready to help when we call out to Him
Seeing our failures as opportunities for Jesus to teach us about trust
Recognizing that Jesus often comes to us in our darkest moments
Understanding that true faith requires stepping out of our comfort zones
Recognizing that Jesus' presence brings peace to our storms
Discussion Questions
Personal Reflection
- 1
What 'boat' do you need to step out of in faith?
- 2
When have you taken your eyes off Jesus and started to sink?
- 3
How do you respond when Jesus calls you to do something difficult?
- 4
What storms are you facing that need Jesus' calming presence?
Group Discussion
- 1
How does this story demonstrate Jesus' power over creation?
- 2
What can we learn about faith from Peter's example?
- 3
How does Jesus use our failures to teach us?
- 4
What does it mean to keep our eyes on Jesus?
Family Discussion
- 1
Why did Peter start to sink when he was walking on water?
- 2
How does Jesus help us when we're afraid?
- 3
What does it mean to have faith in Jesus?
- 4
How can we trust Jesus in difficult times?
A Prayer for Reflection
"Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the story of Jesus Walks on Water, open our hearts to the lessons You have placed within it.
Give us wisdom to understand Your Word, courage to live by it, and humility to grow through it.
May this story deepen our faith, strengthen our character, and draw us closer to You.
In Jesus' name, Amen."
Take a moment to reflect on this story and how it applies to your life today.