BELIVING THROUGH FAITH

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Adapted from Luke 14:22

 Finally, some alone time… no crowds to bustle around him, halfexpecting another miracle involving breads and fishes. Nor were his disciples here to fawn over him and distract him with incessant questions.

He had sent them over the lake for tonight, he’d meet them in the morning… right now, there was something he’d been wanting to pray about and this cool, quiet hill seemed like the perfect spot.

* * *

 “Pull tightly on that rope!” Peter shouted over the noise of the storm.

“Matthew! Andrew! Leave those sails and join the others at the oars,” he

added as he tugged at the unyielding helm struggling to find his footing on the rocking boat. The wind blew furiously and the lake churned as if determined to sink their boat, wave after wave hit them, drenching their boat with water and foam. Lightning leapt across the dark clouds in the sky illuminating the billowing lake as thunder shrieked and boomed.

 Peter grunted as he battled with the wind for control of the boat. He had never seen a storm like this one, the small boat was buffeted from every direction by wind and wave that they did not even make any headway, not an inch was gained as they struggled to keep the boat afloat. He heard a crackling sound and just then their mast snapped in two, wrenched off by

the wind and floated away taking the sail with it.

 “Hold on to something!” he heard John call out and as Peter turned to

look out towards where John was pointing, his eyes widened in surprise and his stomach dropped. The tallest wave he had ever seen was rushing towards them with an unbelievable amount of speed, its crest was a fury of white, brackish foams and as it bore down on them Peter heard Judas raise a shrill cry of despair.

* * *

 Jesus sighed contentedly, it was already evening and he was still alone on the hill. Well, as perfect as things were, he’d better be going, it was going to be a long walk across the lake. 

“Queer storm by the way,” he thought as he

retraced his steps down the hill.

* * *

 Peter peeled open his eyes, his mind was fogged and he felt like a horse had sat atop his body and proceeded to jump on top of him. A sudden jar of the boat brought him out of his reverie and almost immediately he heard the shrill whistling of the wind as it blew over their boat.

 “Peter! Are you hurt?” he heard someone call. An arm reached out and

helped him up, it was James.

“Aside from the general battering… nothing is broken at least” Peter said.

“Is everyone accounted for?” he asked raising his voice as a wave crashed over the boat spilling water all over, he watched as the others hurriedly grabbed buckets and start scooping it back out.

“Yes… but I don’t think we’ll last any longer, everyone’s exhausted… this might be our last night” James answered his voice growing somber.

 “But we can hold out until –”

“A GHOST!” Judas shrieked. He dropped his bucket and stumbled back to the middle of the boat trembling heavily with wide eyes. Peter looked out and there – walking towards them, walking atop the churning lake – was a man… Peter’s breath caught in his throat, curiously enough, from this distance it looked like –

 “Oh God! It’s coming, its coming!” Judas shouted even as he dropped to his knees grabbing his hair and shutting his eyes tightly as if to block out the image of the floating white being walking on the water towards them.

Gods but Judas was a coward sometimes.

 “Wh-who goes there?” Peter shouted into the storm, he tried to ignore the fact that his voice trembled a little. It’s not often one sees a man walking on water in the middle of a storm.

 “Courage my friends!” came the reply. Peter’s eyes opened wide at the sound of the voice, it might be all the water in his ears but he thought the voice sounded a lot like –

 “It is I… Jesus,” the voice came again.

Peter heard the others behind him gasp even as he did. How was it possible, he’d seen Jesus do amazing things but this was too unbelievable…

there was only one way to be sure.

 “Jesus? If it’s really you… ask me – ask me to come out upon the water to you” he said.

“What… Peter no! You’ll drown in that storm!” the others said alarmed.

 “Well Peter, what are you waiting for? Come!” Jesus called.

 Peter took a deep breath, he looked out at the billowing lake, its surface was streaked with foam and the strong wind blew through his hair. He stepped up over the rail of the boat and paused staring out at Jesus standing on the water a few feet away.

 “Here goes nothing,” he thought as he leapt out and landed on the surface of the water.

“Peter…” James called out in awe. Peter opened his eyes, it was unbelievable, he was doing it, he was standing on water. He laughed giddily as he took a tentative step, his feet came in contact with the surface of the water and stayed there. He laughed again as he took step after step towards

his Lord and Master.

  He heard Jesus chuckle with delight and he waved with a smile. He couldn’t explain it, each step was firm but a bit bouncy, like walking on a rubbery surface. He could see Jesus plainly now, he had a big warm smile on his face and his arms were outstretched, ready to receive him.

 Suddenly, a bright flash dazed him and thunder boomed across the sky, an ear-splitting sound. Peter paused and took a step back, his heart was beating fast now, he was suddenly aware of the raging wind and the churning foam all around him. He felt something swell in his throat and his breath came in short gasps. He was sorely afraid. Oh God, what am I doing? He thought as the wind swayed him from side to side.

 Just then his right foot shot through the water, he screamed and tried to claw his way up but his other foot went in too. He was sinking!

 “Jesus!” he screamed struggling to climb back up, the water was over his chest now. “Jesus save me!” he shouted waving his hands as the water went over his head and suddenly, he felt a strong arm grab his own and pull him out of the water. He fell on his knees at the feet of Jesus coughing out water.

“Oh Peter, what little faith you have… why did you doubt?”

 Just then the boat pulled alongside them and Jesus helped Peter up into the boat, everyone stared in disbelief at what they just witnessed, even Judas was standing staring open mouthed, his terror forgotten.

 Immediately Jesus stepped into the boat, the storm suddenly ceased and the wind dropped to a mere breeze. The clouds parted and in the east the sky was bright with the rising sun.

 Wide eyed, Peter looked into the eyes of Jesus and with awe in voice he

said,

 “Truly, you are the son of God.”