Walking on the Sea

Matthew 14:22–33. Walking on the Sea

 

Q: What was the reaction of the Apostles when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them?

A: In the 14^th book of Matthew, we read that Christ took his disciples out to sea on a boat, and then went away to pray leaving them to themselves. The seas being rough gave the disciples no choice but to strive to steady the ship and wait out the storm. In their fatigued state the Lord did appear unto them walking upon the waters of the turbulent sea in the fourth watch of the night, or in other words very early in the morning, sometime between three and six o’clock. Unsure of what they were seeing, they immediately digressed in their faith, giving into superstations and began to be fearful thinking they saw a spirit or ghostly being. 

Q: What did Peter’s response indicate about him?

A: According to James E. Talmage description of Peter in Jesus the Christ, Peter was relived, and being impulsive cried out that he should also walk on water and come to greet the Savior. It was almost as though Peter was still unsure that Christ was who he said he was and needed to test him, surely if he is who he says he is, he will make it so I can walk on water too, he must have thought. In his attempt to test the Lord, he found himself a victim to his own test and in part failed to accomplish his goal. 

Q: According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?

A: Peter’s pride got the best of him and he called out to the Jesus, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” And he did, Peter walked on the water for a moment, but then in the face of diversity, when he “saw the wind boisterous,” he lost sight of the Lord and with it his faith in Him and began to sink. 

Q: What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?

A: When Peter began to sink, he cried, saying, “Lord, save me.” “And immediately, Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.” Matthew 14:30-31 

Peter’s experience all though not completely successful does demonstrates that faith is a principle of power. His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ permitted him to walk on water Christ merely said “Come,” and Peter did. In that moment Peter did not hesitate to go, he leapt without looking and went unto to the lord. His eye was single to glory of God, meaning that he was focused on the Lord and in so doing was filled with truth and could not doubt and was capable of all things, even walking on water. It was only when Peter looked away that he began to let his faith dwindle in unbelief and sank. But again, trusting in the Lord, he called out that Jesus might save him. If we keep our focus on the truth and light that is our Savior Jesus Christ, then all things are possible. Every miracle that Christ preformed was predicated upon the recipient’s faith and because of their faith they were healed. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:67)

Recently my wife and I have begun the process of securing a home and are in a turbulent sea of uncertainty do to the government shutdown. At the moment, our loan approval is being held up; we do not know if we are going to be approved under a FHE loan or a HUD loan because the offices that determine that are closed. If our nation reaches a fiscal cliff and defaults on its debts, my 401K (that we are planning on using as a down payment) could dwindle to amounts that would not justify the penalties of an early withdrawal, and mortgage rates could go up. 

My wife and I are stressed as we face the wind boisterous seas of our life. However, after studying the scriptures and the verses mentioned above we know that as we focus on the Lord, and center our lives around Him, all things are possible and that we will secure a home in which we can bring up our family in God. I know this to be true and I testify of it in Jesus’ name amen.