More Than A Ghost Story II

Written by

Christopher Mentzer

One of my favorite types of ghost stories are those that take place out at sea. Phantom ships and ghost crews that appear unexpectedly. Imagine yourself in a boat with a group of friends in the middle of a lake. As you look toward the shore, you see a ghostly figure standing there. Suddenly the figure walks toward you right on top of the water! It’s enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. The disciples felt the same way:

“But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea. 26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a ghost; and they cried out for fear” Matt. 14: 24-26. To allay their fears, Jesus called out to them, “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid’” (v. 27). Peter though was not positive of his identity and wanted proof, “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto the upon the waters. 29. And he said, ‘Come.’ And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus” (v. 28-29). Peter himself walked on the water! The scriptures do not say how far of a distance he actually walked but based on verses 30 and 31, Peter didn’t just stand on the water, nor was he close enough to the boat to get back in: “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Why did Peter sink? He was distracted and lost his focus on the Lord. In John 14:6 Jesus stated, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” If we keep Him in mind, we won’t sink. The apostle Paul wrote, “1.…lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of `our' faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1-2) Sin is a very heavy weight on our lives which becomes a burden. That’s why Jesus invites all to carry his yoke, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matt. 11: 28-30). Paul also wrote, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor.5: 7. Peter did walk by faith when he focused on Jesus but lost that faith when his sight was aware of the boisterous wind.

In the next two verses of the story, Jesus got into the boat, the wind stopped, and the disciples worshipped him: “And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased. And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God” (v. 32-33). But the story doesn’t end there. Mark 6: 51-52 gives a little more insight to the lesson, “And he went up unto them into the boat; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves; for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”

Before he walked on the water, he had just performed another miracle of feeding over 5,000 people from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish (see Mark 6: 33-44). They didn’t worship him then but did when he walked on the water. Is there a difference? NO! To the disciples though they perceived the feeding of 5000 people as being second nature to the Son of God but to walk on the water is a true miracle! This is a continuous problem that people have today. We sometimes underestimate the power of Jesus Christ or simply take it for granted. We must believe that He is the Son of God and that He can save all from sin.

Jesus is not a ghost as the disciples first perceived him. He is very much alive today and seated at the right hand of the Father. The power to overcome the grave is our hope in the resurrection and the freedom of fleshly bonds. We must always keep our eyes fixed on the Lord to avoid the temptation of sin (Col. 3:2; Rom. 8:6).