Audacity

Written by Joy Gilman

It was twilight when the disciples pushed off from shore, leaving their miracle-working leader behind on land. Jesus insisted His crew sail on without Him while He dismissed the satiated crowd. Earlier that day a mass of hungry hearts had feasted on Jesus' teaching and a free supper of bread and fish.

With the breeze at their backs, the disciples were grateful to heed Jesus' direction and sail away. They were the ones responsible for the meal distribution that involved more than 5000 people and they were exhausted. Being on the water was a respite from a day spent serving. Now they could finally relax. The rhythmic swaying of their boat upon the waves nearly lulled the men to sleep. But as the cool hours of the night crawled on, a forceful wind began to blow, whipping the lake into a churning fury. The men struggled to maintain control of their boat. The roiling waves rocked the vessel relentlessly and they were in danger of capsizing and drowning. Their eyes searched the dark horizon for the shore. Then suddenly something startling came into view.

"About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, 'It’s a ghost!' But Jesus spoke to them at once. 'Don’t be afraid,' he said. 'Take courage. I am here!' Then Peter called to him, 'Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.' 'Yes, come,' Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. 'You have so little faith,' Jesus said. 'Why did you doubt me?' When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. 'You really are the Son of God!' they exclaimed."

Matthew 14: 25-33 NLT

In this account it's easy for us to focus on Peter's failure in a supernatural situation. After just a few steps, the impulsive fisherman was crying out for rescue. But what about the faith it took for him to even ask to join Jesus on top of the water? What compelled Peter to make such an audacious, almost ridiculous request? I believe that Peter had so much confidence in the authority and power of Jesus that, if it really was Him, He would be able to sustain Peter upon the waves too. Peter wanted to participate in what his Lord was doing.

What were the other eleven guys thinking when Peter put forth his challenge to Jesus? Were they stunned by Peter's request? Did they react and question his sanity? Or did they bite their tongues and hold their breath as they watched and waited to see what would happen when their crazy comrade stepped off the boat?

And what about Jesus? What was His response to Peter's bold words? It was, "Yes, come."

So for a brief, beautiful moment, Peter defied the laws of nature and physics and walked on top of the waves with Jesus. No other human in all of history can claim such a feat. Perhaps this is a lesson for us. Perhaps there is so much more the Lord wants to say "yes" to and experience with us but we simply must have the audacious faith to ask.