They Saw What Happened And Believed

By Mary Vee
Mark 6, Matthew 14, John 6

Peter 

Near the area where Jesus fed the 5,000.
Northern area, up a high hill, The Sea of Galilee
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter, I am one of Jesus' disciples.

A few moments ago, more than five thousand people shared one boy's lunch. Imagine that! Jesus took the bread and fish from the boy, blessed it, and served enough food for everyone. I saw it happen. Jesus truly amazed us with that miracle. 

We'd barely finished gathering the extra food when men and women from the crowd stood. They walked closer to Jesus and said, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."

With the people crowding Jesus, we disciples barely had room to stand. 

Jesus said, "You need to get into the boat and sail ahead of me. I will meet you in Bethsaida."

We looked at the people than him, not wanting to leave his side.

"Go," he said. "I will dismiss them."

Later we learned that Jesus knew the people wanted to make him king right then and there. This was not His time, He said. After the crowds left, Jesus walked up the mountain to pray.

Dark filled the sky. We'd sailed for a while expecting Jesus to catch up in another boat. A strong wind pushed the sails tossing our ship about. Waves rose up and smacked against the sides of the ship, splashing in on us. We held the oars steady with all our strength working to keep the boat upright.

The wind and water pummeled the ship hour after hour. Although we knew what to do, we were frightened the ship would sink. How we longed for Jesus to come and save us. 

Long about the fourth watch we looked and saw a man walking on the water toward the ship. We had no idea who or what it was. He continued walking even alongside the boat. The man had to be a ghost. Who else could walk on water? We became terrified and cried out for mercy.

The man answered our cries right away, saying, "Take courage!" Then I knew. It was the voice of Jesus. "It is I. Don't be afraid."

The other disciples and I looked at each other. We hardly knew how to respond.

I looked at Jesus, still a bit uncertain, and said, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."

Jesus held his arms out and said, "Come."

I glanced at the others. The wind and storm became nothing to me. I had an opportunity to walk out to Jesus on the water. Did I trust him? Absolutely.

I climbed out of the boat and set first one foot on the water than the other. I fixed my eyes solely on Jesus'. I stepped once, twice, and again. Not looking to the right or to the left.

Suddenly a gust of wind swept past me. My focus broke away from Jesus. I looked down at the water and became afraid. My feet sank into the waves, then my legs then my waist. I looked up to Jesus and cried, "Lord, save me!"

Jesus reached out his hand and caught me. "You of little faith. Why did you doubt?"

In His kindness and compassion, He walked me back to the boat and helped me climb inside. The wind died down as Jesus entered the boat. 

The other disciples who'd witnessed what had happened couldn't find words to say.  

Jesus continued to surprise us with things we did not understand. We couldn't help but say, "Truly you are the Son of God."

While the other disciples did not know what it felt like to walk on the water toward Jesus, they saw what had happened and believed.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.