When I am struggling to let go and to trust in Jesus, I think of the scene in Matthew’s Gospel that unfolds after Jesus has fed 5,000 people.

It’s evening now, near the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus asks the disciples to get into their boat and to travel before Him, to the other side of the water. Jesus goes off to pray by Himself. Returning to the shore later on, Jesus sees that the boat is now near the middle of the sea, so He begins walking on the water toward the boat.

When the disciples see Jesus, they are terrified. They think they are seeing a ghost! Jesus calls to them, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” Matthew 15: 27.

Peter, still skeptical, says to Jesus, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” (Matthew 15: 28)

Here’s what happens:

“He [Jesus] said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to Peter, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” Matthew 14: 29-32

How many times have I done this? Called out to Jesus for help, only to turn away from Jesus later that day, worried that somehow His advice isn’t good enough?

The setting for this scene is intentionally powerful. In the middle of the Sea of Galilee, at night, the disciples are physically vulnerable. Remember at first, they think a ghost is coming toward them. They cannot jump from the boat and run to shore – humans cannot walk on water! Swimming to shore will be slow and difficult as well.

As the disciples realize it is Jesus, fully human, walking on the water, they witness the Power of His Divinity. The Divine Jesus who invites Peter to walk on the water reveals to all of us His desire to strengthen our human capabilities with His Divine Power. When Peter responds to Jesus with a heart full of joy and trust, he too walks on water! Amazing! With Jesus, there is nothing that we cannot do.

But then the wind picks up and Peter becomes afraid. His mind fills with doubt, and Peter begins to sink into the waves. Peter calls for Jesus, and the Savior is right there, extending His hand to pull Peter out of the water to safety.  

The point of the story is undeniable — Jesus wants to share His Loving Power and Mercy with all of us.

Jesus calls constantly for us, drawing us to the boundaries that we fear, and asking us to walk with Him to the places where we worry that we are not enough.

Why?

Because it is at the edge of our capacities that we encounter Jesus.

What would happen today if I trusted completely in Jesus?

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior.” Hillsong UNITED, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” 2013.