Jesus walks on water

Imaginative contemplation is a way of getting to know and even meeting Christ in the gospels. The ultimate goal is personal encounter with him. Take your time with this kind of prayer. God is in no rush… Take whatever time you need to settle into this prayer You can always press pause if you need longer at any point…

First we familiarise ourselves with the passage:

Matthew 14:22-33



Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

 Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

The scene is close to the Sea of Galilee towards the end of a long day. Jesus and the disciples have just fed over 5,000 people. Earlier they learned of the violent murder of John the Baptist. They are ready for a peaceful end to their day. Jesus feels a need for prayer. The disciples are going to cross the Sea of Galilee.

Imagine Jesus leading the disciples into a boat… Place yourself among them… You might be one of the disciples, in their shoes as it were… Or perhaps you are wearing your own shoes as yourself and yet with them… Who are you?… Look at the crowds slowly dispersing… at the lake in the evening light… the boat… the other disciples… the sky.

Listen to the sounds too… the crowd… the water lapping on the shore… Jesus organising you into the boat… sending the crowds away.

Smell the air… perhaps the aroma of bread and fish coming from the feast that has recently taken place.

Feel the breeze – quite a strong one tonight coming from the lake.

After pushing out the boat perhaps you take an oar and begin to pull the boat out into the lake… It’s heavy going… You notice Jesus sending the last of the crowd away… then making his way up the hill to pray.

It is some time later and you have not made the far shore. The wind is strong and against you… It’s a struggle… then, a shocking experience as you notice a figure coming towards you, walking on the water… What is the reaction on the boat…? You hear the person speak from afar: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”… You realise it is Jesus… How are you affected by this event…?

Peter issues his challenge… “If it is you tell me to come to you across the water”… and Jesus says “Come”… You watch as Peter steps out of the boat and onto the water… He begins to walk to Jesus… Feeling the wind and seeing the waves he takes fright and begins to sink… “Lord, save me!”… Jesus catches his hand and holds him… “Why did you doubt?”… The story continues but before that is there anything else you want to do here…? Do you want to step out like Peter and walk to Jesus on the water…? Do you want to catch the eye of Jesus…? Do you want to speak to him or to look at him…?

Take whatever time you need to go where you are drawn to go…

When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

What is your response to this Jesus who walks on water and commands the wind? Take whatever time you need to be with Jesus in this scene.