24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning[b] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” Note how this says the disciples were in trouble far away from land and Jesus came walking towards them on the water. Jesus knew they were in trouble and he came to them right where they were. It seems Jesus has a thing for showing up right in the middle of our storms.
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![c]”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
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John
Burnett: 22 Immediately He [a]made the disciples get into
the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After
He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and
when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was
already [b]a long distance from the
land, [c]battered by the waves; for
the wind was [d]contrary. 25 And
in the [e]fourth watch of the night He
came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him
walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they
cried out [f]in fear. 27 But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be
afraid.”
28 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is
You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said,
“Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward
Jesus. Just another example of how Jesus is
omnipotent.
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Allen Michaels: 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, Seeking solitude was an
important priority for Jesus. He also sought solitude in 14:13. He made room in
his busy schedule to be alone with the Father. Spending time with God in prayer
nurtures a vital relationship and equips us to meet life’s challenges and
struggles. We must develop the discipline of spending time alone with God—it
will help us grow and become more and more like Christ. 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.” Peter was not testing
Jesus. In fact he was the only one in the boat to react in faith. His impulsive
request led him to experience a rather unusual demonstration of God’s awesome power.
We may not walk on water, but we do walk through tough situations. If we focus
on the waves, or difficult circumstances around us without looking to Jesus for
help, we too may despair and sink. To maintain our faith when situations are
difficult, we must keep our eyes on Jesus’ power rather than on our
inadequacies.
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!”
Peter only started to sink because he took his eyes off
Jesus and focused on the high waves around him. His faith wavered when he
realized what he was actually doing.
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught
him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
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