Jesus Walks on Water

Based on Matthew 14:22-33, God’s message for you today echoes the words He spoke to Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” As Jesus called Peter to look to Him for strength and reassurance, He calls you to fix your eyes on Him in the same way. I pray that today's devotional might draw you closer to Jesus.

Gospel in the Air is a podcast ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church. We are located in Maui, Hawaii, USA. Our number is (808) 463-8859. You can also visit our website at www.cornerstonemaui.org or you can send your email to danibanggo@gmail.com.

Transcript

Episode 31

Jesus Walks on Water

Scripture: Matt. 14: 22-33

© Dani Banggo 06/18/2025

Central Idea: Jesus continually extends His hand to all believers, offering support and protection to ensure they do not falter during life's turbulent moments.

A warm Aloha to you from Maui, Hawaii! I trust that you are doing well today. Let me invite you to join me in this brief devotional reflection centered on faith, provision, and divine intervention. May this message inspire, uplift, and challenge you as you continue your faith journey. Before we start our devotion, let's say a prayer. Let us pray:

Gracious and loving God, our heavenly Father, I praise and magnify Your holy name once again. Thank You for granting this opportunity to share Your words on the air. I pray that You open the hearts and minds of everyone who hears Your message, convicting them of Your grace, which is offered through Jesus Christ, our Lord. I commit this prayer in His precious name, amen.

Today's reflection is titled “Jesus Walks on Water,” based on the scripture passage Matthew 14:22-33. Allow me to share these verses with you:

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way[a] from the land,[b] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night[c] he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

After feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, the crowd intended to take Jesus by force and make Him their king (John 6:15). To prevent this, He swiftly sent everyone away, including His disciples, fearing they might join the crowd in their intentions. At this time, the disciples had not yet fully understood Him.  They initially believed Jesus would become their future king, one who would free them from Roman oppression. This expectation was so strong that James and John boldly asked Jesus for honorable positions when He came into His glory (Mark 10:35-45). However, they were soon to discover the deeper purpose of His mission.

As the disciples initially set out, the sea was calm and peaceful, giving no hint of the storm that would soon engulf them in the darkest hours of the night. It was during the fourth watch of the night, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. (see Matt. 14:25). Caught in the middle of the sea, they were battered by relentless waves and fierce winds. Exhausted and drenched, they fought tirelessly for survival, using every ounce of strength to reach the shore. Despite the adversity, they refused to give up or return to the shore. 

In contrast to Jonah's story in the Old Testament, where he tried to flee from God's command by taking a ship and encountering a storm as a consequence (cf. Jonah 1), the disciples pressed on with unwavering determination. These two storms represent different types of life trials. For Jonah, the storm he faced was one of discipline because he attempted to avoid the mission God had given him by hiding on the ship. However, he was not spared; God sent a fierce storm to discipline him and make him realize the gravity of his sin. As Hebrews 12:10-11 states, “God disciplines us for our good…No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Ultimately, Jonah learned his lesson the hard way.

In contrast, the storm the disciples experienced was one of perfection or refinement. This type of storm was intended to help them grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Certainly, being a follower of Christ does not shield us from life's storms, even when we remain obedient to Him. Faith is often a journey filled with challenges and uncertainties (John 16:33). However, even in our darkest moments, we can rest assured that Christ deeply cares for us. He intercedes on our behalf before the Father (Romans 8:34), is fully aware of our struggles, and holds ultimate control over every situation (Hebrews 4:14-16).

As the disciples battled exhaustion and despair amidst the fierce winds and relentless waves of the night, hope seemed distant. Then, in a miraculous turn, a radiant figure appeared, walking across the water toward them. Their amazement quickly turned to fear as they thought they were seeing a ghost! But Jesus told them “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

This remarkable story of Jesus walking on water offers profound lessons. My hope is that it inspires, encourages, and challenges you as you continue your path of faith.

First: Jesus looked for them 

Jesus knew precisely when the disciples needed Him the most. He allowed the ship to drift far from the shore, leaving no possibility for them to return. With survival seeming unlikely and human hope entirely lost, this was the moment to test their faith. Paul experienced similar trials, recalling in his own words, “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Cor. 1:8). Like Paul, who stayed steadfast in his devotion to the Lord until his final breath, Jesus sought to strengthen the faith of His disciples through this profound ordeal.

When all hope seemed lost and fear gripped the disciples amidst the pounding waves and fierce winds, Jesus appeared in an extraordinary way—walking on the water. The towering waves that terrified them became, for Him, a pathway to reach them. In essence, the very things that instill fear in us often turn out to be the means through which we are drawn closer to Jesus. But why didn’t they recognize Him? The answer lies in their focus—rather than looking for Him, their attention was consumed by the towering waves and overwhelming challenges that felt impossible to overcome. Had they truly known Him and expected His presence, they would not have mistaken Him for a ghost. But fear clouded their minds and hearts, preventing them from seeing Him clearly. Instead of waiting in faith, they were paralyzed by fear, unable to perceive the Lord amidst their turmoil. This mirrors the reality of our daily lives, where failure is a common experience. Let's be honest about it. It's no surprise that the author of Hebrews advises believers, including us, to keep our focus on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Otherwise, we risk losing sight of the eternal hope found in Jesus, becoming overwhelmed by a sea of despair and defeat. Rather than letting circumstances provide an opening for Satan, we must entrust our burdens to the Lord, who remains in control (2 Peter 5:6-7). In moments of hardship, He remains ever-present. Rather than being detached or uncaring, He actively seeks you, just as He sought His fearful disciples. 

Second: Jesus upheld them in their moments of doubt.

Jesus intended to test their faith by placing them in this challenging situation. The storm was designed to serve a greater purpose—teaching them valuable lessons from this harrowing experience that would ultimately strengthen their faith. This preparation was crucial, as they would one day face even greater trials and persecutions when the time came for Him to leave them.

In an astonishing act of faith, Peter stepped out onto the water, but his resolve faltered as his attention shifted. Instead of keeping his gaze fixed on the Lord, he became overwhelmed by the surging waves surrounding him. Fear gripped him, and he began to sink. Desperate, he wasted no time and cried out to the Lord for help. “Why did you doubt?” the Lord gently questioned him (cf. 1 Pet. 3:12).

Life’s storms serve to strengthen our faith. Though the trials we face are often daunting, they remind us of our complete reliance on the Lord and the necessity of placing our trust solely in Him. Taking God at His word—without hesitation or compromise—is essential. Sometimes, it’s worth expressing gratitude for our challenges, as they reveal the profound ways God works through our struggles. The apostle Peter highlights the unwavering faithfulness of God, who watches over the lives of His righteous followers and listens to their prayers. As stated in 1 Peter 3:12, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Third: He granted them calm

Jesus, as the author and finisher of our faith, promises to bring the work He begins in us to completion. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to fix our eyes on Him, who endured the cross and its shame for the joy set before Him and now sits at the right hand of God’s throne. Similarly, Philippians 1:6 reassures us: “I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

This is the confidence we hold as His followers. Like Peter, who stumbled and began to sink, we may falter on our journey of faith. Yet, in the end, God’s purposes in us will always prevail. When Jesus and Peter walked back to the boat together, it marked a joyful conclusion to the disciples’ tumultuous ordeal. During their first experience with a storm at sea, the disciples witnessed Jesus calming the wind and waves, leaving them astonished as they asked, “What kind of man is this?” (Matt. 8:23-27). But now, after seeing Him walk on the water, their amazement turned to worship as they declared, “Truly, you are the Son of God!” (Matt. 14:33).

This reminds us to keep our focus on Jesus and not allow life’s challenges to overwhelm us. While storms may rage around us, we are called to hold firm and strengthen our faith. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a critical illness with limited time, an unforeseen tragedy, or countless other trials, we must lean on Christ. In these moments, offering our fears, doubts, and struggles to Him is essential, for He is the one who brings peace to our hearts. We are called to trust in His power, knowing that He can bring peace to any storm. As stated in 1 Peter 5:6-7: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."

Today’s lesson encourages us to reflect on our relationship with God. Our Lord is sovereign, which means His authority is unquestionable, and blaming Him for our hardships is misguided. Instead, we are called to rely fully on Him rather than depending on our own abilities, possessions, health, intelligence, or any other worldly security we might favor. Everything in our lives falls under His care and power, as He knows what is truly best for us. His dominion encompasses not only our needs but also our comfort, as illustrated in 2 Corinthians 1:3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.”

While life's storms might strike unexpectedly and with intensity, we must not despair or give in to fear, for Jesus is ever-present, extending His hand to rescue us from the depths before we are overwhelmed. Have faith in Him, for no matter how strong the storm is and big the waves you face, the Lord can calm them with a single command. In John 14:14, Jesus assures His disciples, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” This promise embraces the entirety of our needs—He can do anything, not just something, but anything! Nothing is beyond the power of the Lord. Scripture reminds us to remain still and recognize His divinity, as stated in Matthew 14:27, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Jesus gently asked Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31). In essence, Jesus wanted Peter to experience His presence and power, particularly in moments of great peril. When life’s storms and overwhelming waves threaten to sink us, it is in those moments that we are called to kneel in prayer and cry out, “Lord, save me!” Rather than focusing on the chaos around us, we should keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

Shifting our focus beyond our immediate circumstances brings us hope for the future and strengthens our faith in God. By allowing Him to guide our lives, we can experience peace, free from the burden of worry that often accompanies life’s challenges. Trusting God with everything in our lives is a testament to our belief that He knows what is best for us. This unwavering faith empowers us to face life's difficulties with confidence and assurance, even during the most trying and painful times.

Though we may feel the sting of losing a loved one, struggle to manage finances, or endure burdens that seem unending, faith in God provides solace. These struggles are a reality of life, even for those who belong to the Lord, and may sometimes leave us fearful and uncertain, much like Peter, who felt overwhelmed and terrified when confronted by the crashing waves.

My friend, God’s message for you today echoes the words He spoke to Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Just as He called Peter to look to Him for strength and reassurance, He calls you to fix your eyes on Him in the same way, so you may overcome the troubles that threaten to overwhelm you.

Jesus endured the shame and humiliation of the cross to deliver us from God’s judgment. Through His victory over all trials, He now reigns in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf (Rom. 8:34). All creation is under His authority, placed beneath His feet (1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22). His guiding hand remains extended to all believers, ensuring they are upheld and protected from sinking in the midst of life’s storms.

Jesus Christ entered this world to seek and bring you into His care. Out of love for you, He sacrificed Himself, enduring the cross and shedding His blood to cleanse your sins. Today, He invites you to open your heart to Him, accept Him into your life, and make Him your Lord and Savior. 

In times of need, there is just one name you can call out for help—Jesus. He is your Savior and your refuge. When your life feels as though it’s sinking, He stands ready, always, waiting for you to reach out to Him.

I hope today’s message has been a blessing to you. Please continue to listen and share this message with your loved ones. May you find strength and encouragement as you walk in faith. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of your time. This is your host, Brother Dani Marantan Banggo, encouraging you to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Until we meet again, Mahalo!