Lessons from Peter walking on the water

Brothers and Sisters,

I think we are all familiar with the story from the bible (Matthew 14) about Peter walking on water. There have been many analogies given and I have felt like it would be beneficial to mention a few things about this experience to give us greater understanding about the ways of the Lord. The story begins shortly after Christ feeds the 5000 with five small barley loaves and two small fishes. We read:

22 ¶And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

The way our Savior conducted his life is worthy of emulation. The Son of God frequently seeks sincere communication with His Father in private prayer. The greatest man to ever walk the earth had need of the direction, comfort, and guidance God could provide. This example brings to mind another scripture from the New Testament found in the first chapter of Mark verse 35 which reads, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed". There is always time and reasons to pray, even if it requires us to get up a great while before day!.

Continuing with the experience of Peter walking on the water:

 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

The Sea of Galilee is prone to such storms and as fisherman Peter and other of the disciples were no strangers to the dangers such storms presented. The fourth watch of night places us between 3:00 and 6:00 AM, the disciples had been in the midst of the storm for some time. According to the account of this event recorded in John they had been rowing since the adverse wind  did not allow them to put out their sail and so had traveled around three and a half miles in 8 hours. Imagine the fatigue and fear you would have if you found yourself in this situation. It is here that Christ comes to his followers walking on the water amidst the waves.

 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
 29 And he said, come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Lets look at the verses in order. First, Peter expresses a desire to come unto the Lord and expresses a willingness to accept an invitation from Christ to do the seemingly impossible if asked to do so. So many of us are in the same situation, we have desires to come unto Christ and he has extended an invitation to all of us. This coming to Christ really is an impossibility without his help though. We all sin and fall short but are invited to "come unto Christ and be perfected in him" (Moroni 10:32).

Like Peter there will be times on our journey to our Savior, to eternal life, when we will feel overcome by the winds and storms of life. We may find ourselves sinking. We might be having trouble with children, with a spouse, with our health, with employment, with addiction or any other of a myriad of potential difficulties this life presents. We need to follow the example of Peter and cry out, "Lord, save me"! Christ's reaction will be the same for each of us as it was for Peter, "immediately" He will stretch forth his hand and catch us up. This hand may take many different forms. The prophets have said that often times our prayers are answered through other people. The reality is when we sincerely ask the Lord for help, then help will be forthcoming.

The last thing I would like to touch on from the account of Peter walking on the water is sometimes overlooked. After Christ takes Peter's hand they are still out on the water some distance from the ship and the storm is still raging. The same dangers Peter perceived as he walked towards Jesus are there but when the Savior is lending us support those hazards look manageable and far less threatening. Bottom line is Peter was still walking on water to get back to the ship...he was still doing something miraculous but was performing without much comment since with the Savior by his side he was at peace.

It can be the same with us. There are many of you who set the example for me. As I see you handle the difficult challenges in your life with confidence and grace. I am struck with wonder and amazement at your humility and faith. Thank you for the example of your faithful lives. May the Lord bless us all to seek for help when we are in need is my prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.