𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙻𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛

The event of Jesus walking on water is recorded in three of the four Gospels:
* Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV):
* Explanation: After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent his disciples ahead in a boat while he went up on a mountain to pray. A storm arose, and in the early morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the lake. The disciples were terrified, thinking he was a ghost. Jesus reassured them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Peter, in faith, asked to walk to Jesus on the water, and he did, but when he saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus immediately reached out and caught him, rebuking his little faith. When they got into the boat, the wind died down, and the disciples worshipped him, acknowledging him as the Son of God.
* Mark 6:45-52 (NIV):
* Explanation: Mark's account is very similar to Matthew's. Jesus again sends the disciples off in the boat after the feeding of the multitudes. He sees them struggling against the wind and comes to them, walking on the lake. They think he is a ghost and cry out. Jesus speaks to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Mark highlights their astonishment and notes that they "had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened," implying they hadn't fully grasped His divine power even after the miracle of the feeding.
* John 6:16-21 (NIV):
* Explanation: John's account is more concise. After the feeding, the disciples get into a boat to cross to Capernaum. Darkness falls, and the sea becomes rough. They had rowed about three or four miles when they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water. They were frightened, but Jesus said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." Immediately, the boat reached its destination. John emphasizes the immediate arrival at their destination upon Jesus's entry into the boat, highlighting his control over the elements and space.
Brief Explanation of the Event's Significance:
This miracle demonstrates Jesus's divine power and authority over nature, a characteristic often attributed only to God in the Old Testament (e.g., Job 9:8, Psalm 77:19). It serves to:
* Confirm His divinity: Showing He is more than just a man.
* Comfort His disciples: Revealing His presence and power even in the midst of their fear and struggle.
* Teach about faith: Illustrated by Peter's attempt to walk on water and his sinking when his faith wavered.
* Symbolize Jesus's ability to overcome life's storms.