Walking on the Sea

1. Review Matthew 14:22-33. Identify in writing the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them.

In verse 26 it says, “they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” I would consider that to be a natural reaction because there isn’t really any other way you could really explain a figure coming towards you on top of water. You also have to remember that this is “in the fourth watch of the night’’ which would be between 3-6am and I’m sure each man was exhausted. Before I had kind of always thought of their reaction negatively and wondered why they didn’t recognize the Savior but they were normal men themselves and bodies are only so capable.  What would you have done in their place?

2. What did Peter’s reponse indicate about him?

Peter responded, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” I’m not entirely sure what all this says about him but I think you see his desire and willingness to follow Christ. He wanted to be like him and literally follow in his footsteps. Not only that but I think it personally shows a little fearlessness. The sea was already being tossed by the wind and the waves but Peter forgot all that and was only focused on the Savior.

3. According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?

In verse 30 it says, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid.” We always hear that fear and faith cannot be together. We all have fears but I know this is true. If we have a perfect faith or knowledge of something why would we have any fear towards it?  This is an extreme example, but say there are two people about to die, one has faith and believes there is life after this while the other person does not. Wouldn’t it make sense that the first is as not afraid of death as the second? I also like to look at the fact that in order to see the wind and waves he probably took his eyes off of the Savior. We are told so often to make Christ the focus and center of our lives and I know as we do that things in our life will go so much smoother or at least seem to.

4. What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses desvribes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?

When Peter began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me.” I think this is a very good lesson for each of us to learn is to call out to the Lord as soon as we have any stuggles. Too often and for too long we put it off thinking we can figure it out ourselves but trials are meant for us to build that relationship between ourselves and Jesus Christ. This is my favorite part of the story, in verse 31, “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Christ was immediately there to catch him and lift him up out of the water. It doesn’t say and Jesus ran over to pull him up but instead that he was already there and ready to catch him. I know it is the same for us in each of our lives as long as we are willing to ask for his help.

5. Read D&C 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life?

The scripture in D&C talks about having an eye single to the glory of God. I think this goes right along with what I was saying about how Peter was afraid and started to sink because he took his eyes off Christ and began to focus on the wind and the waves. This principle can really help each of us as we try walking over the storms of life because when we have our eyes on Christ we can almost forget about the storm and we have no reason to fear because we know if we stumble, He will be right there to lift us up. Verse 67 also mentions as we keep our eye single to that glory, our “whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you.” That’s amazing and I know that as we are filled with light Satan has less power over us and our burdens will become lighter and easier to bear. With Christ we can weather any storm.