Many years ago a ship lay tossing on a stormy sea. The storm increased as the winds arose and the night grew darker. Suddenly in the fourth watch of the night, the very darkest hour, a figure walking on the water appeared to the frightened seamen. In terror they cried out that it was a spirit! But it was the Master, Christ Jesus, whose tender voice said (Matt. 14:27), "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."
Peter, oftentimes impulsive beyond wisdom, perceiving that it was the Master who approached the ship, asked that Jesus bid him come to him. Jesus did so, and Peter unhesitatingly obeyed the summons and walked on the waves. He was rewarded for his instant obedience to the Master's bidding by that moment of dominion over the forces of matter. Then fear obscured his vision of the Christ, and, conscious only of the winds and angry waves, he began to sink. As he called out in despair to be saved, the Saviour's hand was stretched out to him, and he was brought into the safety of the ship, even as his fear was lovingly rebuked. When they had entered the ship, we are told, the storm ceased and there was a calm.
What beautiful lessons in practical Christianity we learn from such experiences in the life of Christ Jesus! The Bible narrative tells us that after the feeding of the five thousand in the wilderness he withdrew from the multitudes to a mountain to commune with God. He had directed his disciples to go by ship to the other shore, and in Mark (6:48) we read that later in the evening "he saw toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them." How unselfish was his immediate response to their need, and how loving his willingness to let Peter make his own demonstration in so far as he was capable! How compassionate his tangible help in reaching out his hand to save him from engulfing fear! Jesus knew that Peter had not yet progressed beyond the state of consciousness where the human clasp of the Master's hand was necessary to reassure him, and he did the thing that was needed.
