As Jesus was praying, the sun started to set. So he hiked down the mountain. By the time he reached the shore, the twelve were on the boat “a long way from the land” (Matt. 14:24), and it was dark. Why was it taking them so long to reach the other shore? Another terrible storm! The boat was being “beaten by the waves,” and “the wind was against them” (14:24). Because of the wild winds, they couldn’t use the sail. It would be too dangerous. So they rowed and rowed with all their might. But it was useless. They were in big trouble! Just then, Jesus saw them. Wait, how could he see them? “They had rowed about three or four miles” out (John 6:19). That’s a long way to see, even if the moon was fully lit. That’s not the only odd detail of this story. Guess what Jesus did next? He walked on the water! Yes, that’s what the Bible says: “He came to them, walking on the sea” (Matt. 14:25). With wave-parting, wind-ceasing, superhuman speed, Jesus was defying gravity. Incredible!

When the frightened disciples saw him, they screamed, “It’s a ghost!” Who could blame them for being so scared? And who could blame them for thinking it was a ghost since only a spirit could glide across the waters? But Jesus was not a ghost. He yelled to them, “It’s really me! Don’t be afraid.” Peter cried out, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (14:28). So Jesus invited him. Peter got out of the boat, and (this is the oddest part) he started to walk on water. Just like Jesus! But suddenly, he took his eyes off Jesus, saw the fierce wind, got really scared again, and started to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me” (14:30). Jesus wasted no time. He reached out, grabbed him, and brought him onto the boat. He saved him. While Jesus was saving him, he also taught Peter that he can trust him no matter what. For all of us, trusting Jesus is the smartest and safest thing to do. “Peter, why did you doubt? You should have kept on believing” (see 14:31). What a good lesson for us to learn too: keep on believing—even when you see the big waves.