NOTES for Mat 14:22-36
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. |
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. |
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. |
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. |
34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. |
35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; |
36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. |
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Everyone knows well that if we have faith, we will be able to move mountains. The question, however, is why move a mountain from the place the Creator assigned to it. Peter's action, when he goes to the Teacher on the water, should undoubtedly be defined as a feat of faith. Each of us, being no different from Peter by nature, can try this on ourselves. Here I step out of the boat and walk on the water...
Far more important is that, in old-fashioned language, this is also a feat of wisdom. The fact is that there are not so few believing people in the world, yet we still continue to build bridges and cross water barriers by using them. It is not at all apparent that Christians are crossing rivers over the waters in crowds, although our history does know such examples. The wisdom of Peter, which is exceptionally important for us, consists in his saying: "command me to come to You on the water". He goes not only, and not so much, because he believes. This would have been impossible if Jesus had not commanded him. Strictly speaking, in everything that happens in our life, with all the abundance of miracles that we fail to notice, there is only one Miracle Worker: the Lord. Without His command, by Peter's will alone, this would have been impossible.
And one more important point: where Peter is going, where he is looking. As long as his gaze is turned toward Jesus, he walks; as soon as he looks around, he begins to sink. This is by no means a metaphor. To live and not sink in the passing moment, in matter, and ultimately in death, one can do only by looking at Jesus, and at Jesus alone.
Readings for 10 September 2025
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