Out on a wind-swept sea, in the black darkness of the night miles from the warmth and safety of their homes twelve men wrestled with their boat. Things weren’t going their way.

Just that morning Jesus’ quiet time had turned into a Woodstock-sized extravaganza. People from all over brought their sick relatives and friends to be healed. And none were turned away.

Guinness Book of World Records would have loved to document the meal that followed. While the menu wasn’t all that imaginative, the number of people served was incredible (over five-thousand people were fed with five loaves of bread and two fish). Ripley’s Believe-It-or-Not could have made a fortune on the story.

But that’s when it happened. Just when the disciples were ready to break out party balloons and introduce Jesus as Israel’s new King, He pulled the plug and told everyone it was time to go home. Now their struggle with the boat seemed symbolic of all that had gone wrong with their dreams. They were denied all they had hoped for by the very Person they thought would make it possible! To their thinking Jesus missed His cue.

Seeing the bigger picture

I’ve never been tempted to crown anyone king, or wrestle with a boat on a stormy sea. But I have agonized over broken dreams. I have wondered why God pulled the plug on some of my projects and plans just when I thought they were destined to succeed. I have wondered why others aren’t as quick to see things my way, and why God hasn’t enlightened them as He has me. I’m beginning to realize that when this occurs it’s usually related to my inability to see the bigger picture.

We all have blind spots that prevent us from seeing completely. This is why the wisest man who ever lived said there is safety in a multitude of counselors. When surrounded by trusted companions and friends, we’re able to view ourselves and others more clearly.

While the disciples would have been content to make Jesus their King, Jesus knew He was being called to fill a larger role. He tried to illustrate this by performing a miracle.

Walking over the enemy

In ancient mythology the sea symbolized the realm of darkness, the underworld, the habitation of Leviathan—the Devil. No one could expect to escape the clutches of death anymore than he or she could hope to walk on water. Symbolically, the depths of the sea were believed to be filled with the corpses of those who were overcome by Leviathan’s mighty power.

But Jesus was connected with a power that was far greater than the dark forces of the underworld. John tells us that the "Word was God. . . the Creator of the universe." To demonstrate this truth Jesus walked out across the water to where His disciples were. It was a manifestation they never forgot! But somehow they missed the significance of what He was trying to say. In their bewildered state of mind they only saw a Holy magician performing an outrageous act!

Open our eyes

When we understand the true spiritual significance of this miracle it gives many scriptural passages new meaning.

The experience of Moses leading the Children of Israel through the Red Sea shows how God is able to make a way of escape through the very heart of evil and provide victory for His people. The story of Jonah becomes more than a big fish story. It speaks of God’s ability to thwart the Devil’s purposes on his own turf. When Jesus walks on the water He is not just performing a miracle of unusual physical proportions; He is demonstrating His ability to outwit the powers of darkness. More significantly, Peter’s ability to walk on water assures us that as long as we are connected with Christ, we too will be able to triumph over Leviathan.

Hope for the Hopeless

But even when we lose our connection with Christ there is hope. Although Peter spent much of his life around water and was probably a strong swimmer, by himself he was no match for the angry waves. The moment he took his eyes off of Christ the icy waters were quick to claim him as their own.

The same is true for us. We have no business trying to walk on water without Christ. In fact, if we are without Christ, our involvement in Church work and ministry will probably do more harm than good. The story of the seven sons of Sceva graphically illustrates this point.

Not having a personal knowledge of Jesus and His ability to save, Sceva’s sons tried invoking His name to cast out demons. The evil spirit answered and said, " ‘Jesus I know and Paul I know about, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding."

Before we attempt to extend God’s power to those in need, let us make sure we have experienced it for ourselves. Only then can we speak with authority and power.

Some two thousand years ago, as Christ’s disciples and a well-fed crowd tried to crown Him King, He saw beyond their immediate interests, and without hesitation, said "No!" Christ said no to a flash-in-the-pan kingdom, and yes to an opportunity to reveal God’s goodness to an entire universe. Christ knew that others, like Peter, would ultimately need to be saved from eternal death; and He knew that the underworld could only be conquered by His own willingness to enter its darkest depths. This was why later in His ministry, Christ said, "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Because of Christ’s costly sacrifice and triumph over the powers of darkness, the hand that rescued Peter from a watery grave can still be felt today. When we are tempted to worry because our limited dreams seem unfulfilled; when the frigid waters of doubt and despair threaten to annihilate all hope; when we realize we’ve lost sight of Christ and are floundering—it’s comforting to know that Jesus still walks on water! Out across our ocean of need He comes with a firm grasp of compassion and love—waiting and willing to pull us to safety.

The best news that millions are hearing in the streets, markets and cities of the world today is that Jesus still saves!
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At the time this article was written, Rich DuBose wads Director of Church Support Services for the Pacific Union Conference and a producer of Christian web content.