Power: Jesus Walks on Water
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33
If you asked my grandchildren what “power” was they would rattle off any number of super heroes each possessing some magical gift that allows them to “save the day”. Our culture and the media have gone to great lengths to display “power” in a variety of ways. And the only thing they have in common is that these gifts are visible to the human eye.
The scriptures are bursting with examples of God’s power. In the creation story, we know of His meticulous care for creating a world out of nothing. Creation itself shows us the depth of God’s power and love by giving us everything we need.
Matthew 14:19 describes Jesus feeding the 5000 people. Power such as this had never before been seen. And later that same day, the disciples look out from their boat in the middle of the lake to see Jesus walking on the water. Peter even tasted a bit of that power as he stepped out from the boat toward Jesus.
While God is all-powerful, God still offers us the power to make our decisions. God does not push or bully or force his will upon us. God is always merciful and graceful and inviting. Imagine what we can do when we align our will with God’s will – a power that can certainly accomplish great things.
Holy Father, help me to see you more clearly. Open my heart to your power and help me to follow the path you would have me take. I am so thankful for the care you have blessed my life with. And the love you have for me is boundless. Please help me to soak up your blessings and follow your lead on this path of life. AMEN.
Devotion written by: Fran Baatz