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Immediately after their success with the feeding of the multitude (see last week's reading) the disciples are told to go over to the other side of the lake in the boat. It is very important to hear and understand what the Lord is saying unless, as in this case, we want to repeat the same mistakes as before. I remember receiving some advice early on in my Christian life - it is not wrong to make mistakes, we are only foolish if we do not learn from the mistakes we make. Unfortunately, in the years since I have often been foolish.

It probably has not escaped your notice that the disciples had been here before (Matt.8:23-27) but with a significant difference - that time the Lord was in the boat. Yes it was a very fierce gale, and He had been asleep, but within seconds they had Him awake and rebuking the seas and, once again, all was calm. Did they not understand that this Jesus could not be destroyed by the elements because He created them and they were under His control?

The Lord needed to show them the lesson again and so this time He sent them out in the boat alone. You can imagine the excited conversation there would have been at the beginning of the journey, talking over the events of the day. As the clouds got darker they would not worry because many of them were fishermen and they knew how to row a boat.

A little while later all conversation had stopped and, the boat being battered by the waves, they were straining at the oars to try and reach safety. They had not remembered the lessons from the past. Anyway Jesus was not even here so there was nothing He could do. Did any one stop to recall that He had told them to "go to the other side?" Even if they had they would be too taken up with their own circumstances to be ready to think about the words of Jesus. Does that sound familiar?

Now to make matters worse they see - a ghost? What else would we think? No one can walk on calm water let alone a raging sea? Did Jesus walk over, through or around the waves? We are not told, all we know is that He came to them walking on the water with those glorious words that He often speaks - "do not be afraid!"

How sad that we need to be put through the same lessons again and again until we learn to trust the Lord of Creation. Then Peter seemed to catch a glimpse of the possible because, without looking at the seas that would put him off, he looked at his Lord and said, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water". Although he used the word 'if' it was not in unbelief but a positive statement - if it is you Lord tell me to come, to get out of the boat and walk with you on this water. Lord if you can do it then I can do it too if you enable me. Lord if you can overcome the storm and be at peace so can I with your help.

Just one word was said, "Come." The next thing most of us think of is Peter sinking, but remember he did, with the Lord's help, something none of us have ever done. He obeyed God's Word and got out of the boat and walked on the water. Was it one, two five steps? It does not matter for, while he looked at the Lord and believed His word, he walked on the water. Only when he looked at the natural elements again did he sink.

Even then the Lord's work did not cease; picking Peter up and stepping into the boat the wind died down and they came to the other side. The lesson had once again been taught, there was now a glimmer of a realisation of what it was and the storm was needed no more!

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