As you may know, each of my novels is loosely based on a Biblical miracle. In Miracle in a Dry Season it’s Christ’s feeding of the 5,000 or the story of the widow with the ever full jar of oil. In Until the Harvest it’s miraculous healing. And in book #3 it was meant to be walking on water.
But I’ve realized something about that particular miracle. While I believe Christ’s miracles were, in large part, meant to show us who he is, they also often served a practical purpose.
- Water into wine met the need of a wedding host who was running out of supplies.
- Healing the sick addressed specific, physical needs of scores of people.
- Raising the dead (which happened several times, not just Lazarus) restored people to those who loved them.
- Quieting the storm kept the disciples from capsizing and allayed their fear.
- Even the catch of fish helped the disciples in their livelihood.
But walking on water. I can’t come up with a practical reason for that one. I suppose you could say Jesus needed to catch up with his disciples after staying behind while they set sail, but that doesn’t feel the same.
So I’m throwing it out there. Was there a practical purpose for walking on water?
Walking on water it was testing Peter’s faith
Was it a miracle or was it a need for faith ,to show faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I think it was both, miracle and test of faith. So perhaps the practical application was just for Peter?
Was it a miracle or was it a need for faith by Peter to the Lord Jesus Christ . A need for us to show faith to help others .
This may sound crazy, but maybe Jesus was just really warm? Hello, it’s Israel, the desert. It’s SUPER dry and hot. Maybe He was thinking “Ahhh, yes, while I give them thier lesson for the day, I can cool off, too. Maybe wash my feet on the way to the boat.”
Now THAT is a unique interpretation!
Unique as in loco? Or just “huh, I never thought of that…”?
Both 😉
It was direct and fast which shows how prayer works. Plus, it shows how God is not bound by our finite expectations. He supersedes any physical confines and keeping our eyes on Him affords us plenty of opportunity to keep our faith afloat (a practical pun)
Oh, I like that–a metaphor for prayer. (Nice pun!)
Faith. Trust. Hope.
Amen!
When the savior walked.on.water, Peter could walk on water as long as he was looking at. the savior.