On Sunday, November 5, 2023, the congregation at Bethlehem Baptist Church was graced with a profoundly reflective sermon by Reverend Tripline. He, with careful eloquence, called our attention to the profound teachings found in the well-known story from the New Testament where Jesus walks on water. This sermon was a grace to the church. To supplement this message, Deacon Bradley offered further enlightenment in his Bible study class. There, he elaborated on the passage, providing a more in-depth explanation of how the scripture relates to our day-to-day lives and how it might be applied more effectively.
Before going into the heart of Jesus’ act of walking on water, it is necessary to understand the context in which this miracle took place. This backdrop is vital for understanding the miracle itself. The miraculous feeding of the 5,000 took place not long before this occurrence. During that miracle, Jesus fed a large crowd with only five loaves of bread and two fish. This incident takes place not long after that one. This foreshadowing of abundance out of scarcity serves as evidence of Jesus’ compassion and His capacity to supply, and it prepares the way for His disciples to see yet another facet of His dominion over the natural world.
The disciples come upon a tumultuous scene in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22-33. As the story progresses, both of them find themselves engulfed in the ferocity of the raging winds and waves. They are standing on the raging waters of the Sea of Galilee when they see something remarkable for the first time: Jesus walking toward them while remaining calm on the waves. Their initial fear, which was caused by mistaking Him for a ghost, was quickly put to rest when they heard His consoling voice saying, “Take courage! It is just me. There is no need to be terrified.
A profound spiritual message is encapsulated in the impulsive desire of Peter to join Jesus on the water, as well as Peter’s subsequent plunge into dread and doubt as a result of his request. Reverend Tripline showed how, in the process of approaching Jesus, Peter crossed more than just a literal body of water; rather, he ventured across the very edge of faith and doubt. His unyielding concentration on Christ was the driving force behind his fleeting triumph. It was the very moment that his attention wavered, and he became aware of the storm, that he gave in to his dread. This is a stirring parallel to our natural tendency to waiver in our faith when we are confronted with the storms of life.
During the course of his Bible study, Deacon Bradley made the insightful observation that the act of Peter getting out of the boat represents our own summons to explore beyond the safety of our established bounds. This was one of Bradley’s insights. In life, much like that night on the Sea of Galilee, we are frequently asked to put our faith in the divine and venture into the unknown, whether it be for the pursuit of personal goals, the advancement of professional careers, or the development of our spiritual selves. The fragility and unpredictability of the issues we frequently face is represented symbolically by the undulating seas below Peter. Nevertheless, if we keep our attention fixed on the divine, as is exemplified in this case by Jesus, we will be able to successfully traverse the perilous waters that life throws at us.
The fact that Jesus came to Peter’s aid right away in response to his prayer is particularly thought-provoking because it highlights the fact that God is always ready to help, even when we falter. Deacon Bradley highlighted the prompt answer as evidence of the ever-present nature of God’s grace, and he underscored its importance. This chapter encourages us to reach out in faith when we are feeling overwhelmed by the vicissitudes of life, and it reassures us that we will receive a hand that saves us.
The disciples witnessed not just an incredible miracle but also an up-close and personal portrayal of Jesus’ compassion and patience as these events played out before them. Peter was having a crisis of faith, and rather than condemn him, he came to Peter’s aid. This moving event serves as reassurance that, despite the ups and downs of our faith, we are never beyond the salvific grasp that Jesus has for us, even if we experience periods of doubt.
Reverend Tripline and Deacon Bradley, working together, produced a striking picture of faith as a dynamic and active force in our lives, which we will consider as we reflect on the several layers of meaning contained within this passage. The miracle feeding of thousands of people and Jesus’ control over the waters serve as an eloquent reminder of the all-encompassing provision and protection that are accessible to us because of the juxtaposition of these two events. They stated that even the tiniest amount of trust can be the determining factor in the occurrence of miraculous events.
In conclusion, the story of Jesus walking on water, which occurs immediately after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, displays more than divine dominance over the elements of nature; rather, it represents the journey of faith that every believer must undergo. The reality of life is that we will inevitably face adversity, but as Reverend Tripline and Deacon Bradley taught us, if we keep our focus on the Savior, even the smallest amount of faith is enough to get us through the most trying of times. May we absorb this lesson, allowing us to venture out with confidence onto whatever waves we encounter, empowered by the awareness that the only thing that stands between us sinking and being sustained by the everlasting arms of Jesus is a call for help? May we internalize this lesson?
