Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

 

- Matthew 14:22-36 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus heard that Herod now suspected He was John the Baptist risen from the dead, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about give thousand men, besides women and children.

 

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."   My study Bible comments that this is the second time that Christ permits His disciples to be caught in a storm (see this reading; verses 23-27).  The first time it happened He was with them; but here He had left them alone.  In this way, my study Bible explains, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  It is I is literally translated "I Am," the divine Name of God (see John 8:58, Exodus 3:14).  Christ reminds the fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives.  

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"   My study Bible says that Peter's faith allows him to walk on the water.  It asks us to note that Peter does not ask to walk on water per se, but rather to come to Jesus.  Peter's desire is not to perform miracles, but to be with the Lord.  Peter can participate in this divine miracle so long as he keeps his focus on Christ.  But as soon as he is distracted, he begins to sink.  

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  My study Bible asks us to note that the Greek term for doubt here means "wavering" or "hesitation."  The cause of Peter's sinking, it notes, is not the storm but rather Peter's doubt; therefore Christ doesn't rebuke the wind, but He rebukes Peter.

 

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."   My study Bible comments that this is the first time the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God.  It says that they know that only God can be worshiped, and confess Christ's divinity by worshiping Him.  (The word for worshiped in the text means to bow down prostrate in reverence to, the act of worship.)  The boat is symbolic of the Church.

 

 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  My study Bible says that Christ permits miracles through touch in order to show that His very body is life, and that contact with His flesh is life-creating (see Matthew 9:20-22).  

In accordance with the traditional understanding that the boat with Christ and the disciples is an image of the Church, my study Bible comments that God both permits storms and delivers us through them, so that we can see God's protection more clearly.  Such storms also serve as images of the tempests within us that stir the soul, and cause frustration, dismay, anxiety, and a host of other feelings to come into ourselves and overwhelm us.  In that sense, the surging waters in the midst of a storm also symbolize such internal tempests that rock us.  We're reminded of the story of Genesis, in which "the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2).  To be without form and void is an image of chaos, the deep waters a sense of being overwhelmed, and all the darkness gives us a picture of a time when we can't see our way through, can't think how we'll get through.  To use another metaphor, a time when we "can't see the forest for the trees."  But the next thing that happens in the Genesis story is that creative power that tells us that as long as the Spirit of God is hovering over, whatever we think we see and experience is not the whole picture, but God is also present, and so is the power of God.  Suddenly God the Word is present in the command, "Let there be light," and there was light.  And the Word in today's reading walks on the stormy dark waters to the disciples, the Word announces His presence, saying literally, "I am," the name of the Lord from the Old Testament.  And He also tells them "Be of good cheer!" and "do not be afraid."  In today's reading, it is Christ who brings with Him the light that changes everything, so that they can see what is truly what -- that they are not alone, and not abandoned, and that He is with them, wherever they are -- even in the dark stormy waters about the fourth watch of the night.  That is, midst the dark and unknown chaos of three o'clock in the morning.  If we can know in the midst of our own stormy and chaotic times in the darkness of 3 A.M. that Christ is present there in the darkness, how much is that worth to us?  If we know that the Spirit of God hovers over our times when we can't see the billows and waves coming at us, how much is that worth?  If we know the light is present to guide us, how much is that worth to us?  It means we aren't alone, that there is a force to guide us and help us, and that in even the darkest moments there is someone who knows us, who sees us, who hovers over and comes to us, that there is a source of the light we need to see our way through when the wind seems to blow against us no matter how hard we try.  When we're overwhelmed, it is hard to take refuge in hope, but nevertheless it is to prayer we must turn and know that this is what we can do and must not forget.  For although we might feel alone, oftentimes such storms are meant to help us to realize what is possible, and the strength and courage and endurance of which we're capable, the guidance and faith in which we need to put our trust even in times we can feel no trust.  For this is the way the disciples have gone before us and the countless faithful throughout the generations who've gone before.  It is the world in which we live, the life He knows we live, and the only way through it.

O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid." 

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." 

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

- Matthew 14:22-36

Yesterday we read that when Jesus heard of Herod's fear of Him, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  My study bible emphasizes here first of all the evidence of Christ's divinity, His dominion over nature.  This is the second time that Christ has permitted the disciples to be caught in a storm (see this reading for the first).  The difference here is that in the first instance, He was with them; in today's reading He has left them alone.  My study bible says that in this way, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  It is I is literally translated "I Am" -- the divine name of God (Exodus 3:14-15, John 8:58).   The fourth watch of the night is approximately 3:00 in the morning.  

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  My study bible points out that Peter doesn't ask to walk on water per se, but rather his desire is to come to Christ.  He doesn't want to perform miracles but to be with Jesus.  Peter can participate in the divine miracle so long as his focus is on Christ; it is when he is distracted that he begins to sink. 

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  The Greek verb translated doubt here really means "wavering" or "hesitation."  It is to vacillate between one side and another.  The cause of Peter's sinking, my study bible says, was not the storm but rather his doubt.  Christ doesn't rebuke the wind; He rebukes Peter. 

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  This is the first time in Matthew's Gospel that the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God.  Only God can be worshiped; they confess Christ's divinity by worshiping Him, my study bible tells us.  The boat with Christ and the disciples is symbolic of the Church. 

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  My study bible says here that Christ permits miracles through touch in order to show that His very body is life, and that contact with His flesh is life-creating. 

There are times when we pray and feel that we have  no response; we are in a place where Christ seems absent.  According to my study bible, we are permitted storms in life -- as are the disciples in today's reading -- in order to strengthen our faith.   There are times when prayer seems to happen in a kind of vacuum; we are praying into the wind, like the disciples rowing against the storm.  God comes to us, however, in ways unexpected.  The important thing seems to be how we conduct ourselves when we feel we have no response.  So what is the substance of faith?  What does it mean to pray in times when we feel God's absence rather than presence?  Often it seems that at such times our focus is narrowed away from God.  Fear diminishes our capacity to see the bigger and broader picture of life.   It distracts us from the place where our peace is found, from the center that teaches us who we are, gives us sustenance or identity in Christ.  It is in times of this kind of uncertainty that we are offered a kind of opportunity:  we can walk through it with prayer in a type of discipline that builds something up within ourselves, whether or not we are aware of it at the time.  It's like exercise:  we build strength without being aware of it until the outcome is evident only with time.  To be a disciple is to grow in time and through practice.  We don't see the fruits of spiritual labor immediately and so must be prepared to stick with it and move forward in all circumstances.  The image of the disciples with Christ in the boat is one that has been used traditionally for the Church, and so we find ourselves.  Christ's ministry, also, changes with the responses of the world.  As noted in yesterday's reading, when Herod becomes a threat, He withdraws -- but His miraculous power becomes all the more evident to the disciples and in the events of the Gospels.  So it is with God's surprising sudden showing, as we continue the good fight, the struggle for faith, and seek to focus midst the distractions of the present.

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

- Matthew 14:22-36

Yesterday, we read that when Jesus heard that Herod feared He was John the Baptist returned from the dead, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.   You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.   We recall that Jesus had withdrawn to a deserted place after hearing that Herod Antipas now feared that Jesus was John the Baptist returned from the dead.  It's the first time the Roman authorities have taken notice, as reported in Matthew's Gospel, and in this negative way.   We know that the religious authorities are plotting against Jesus,  but Herod the tetrarch is ruler of Galilee and Perea for the Romans.  Jesus attempts to go out by Himself for prayer, and the crowd had followed Him.  Now that He has sent them away, He goes up on the mountain by Himself to pray at this turning point in His worldly ministry.

 Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."   We understand this somewhat eerie scene, and the fear of the disciples.  The fourth watch of the night is about three o'clock in the morning; we can imagine them struggling on the stormy sea in the dark of the night, without Jesus.  This is the second time in Matthew's Gospel that Jesus has permitted the disciples to be caught in a storm.  The first time (8:23-27) He was with them, but here He has left them alone.  My study bible says that it is a way of strengthening their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  Walking on the sea is both symbolic and a sign of dominion over nature, the province of God, displaying Christ's divinity.   "It is I" is ego eimi in the Greek; literally "I Am," which is the divine name of God from the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14).    My study bible says, "Christ reminds the fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives."

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.    My study bible tells us that it is Peter's faith that allows him to walk on the water, and points out that Peter doesn't really ask to walk on the water nor to perform miracles per se, but rather he wants to be with Christ.  It's kind of a typical impulse of the Peter we know before Pentecost.  Peter participates in this miracle so long as he keeps his focus on Christ, but as soon as he's distracted, his fears take over and he starts to sink.  Peter is the perfect picture of human beings caught up between our natural fears and our faith.  The Greek term for doubt here means "wavering" or "hesitation."  My study bible tells us that therefore the cause of Peter's sinking wasn't the storm but rather the doubt; therefore Christ doesn't rebuke the wind, but Peter.

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  This is the first time the disciples make this confession that Jesus is the Son of God.  Only God can be worshiped, and by doing so, they confess His divinity.   The boat is often seen as symbolic of the Church.  It's also been used as an image of a believer's individual journey of faith.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  Gennesaret was a place known for beauty and for its fertility both of the land for crops, and the sea for fishing.  It was known as the "Paradise of Galilee," and was prosperously situated on an important trade route.  In this sense the place is symbolic of the Kingdom and the flowering of faith in Christ.  The life coming from Jesus' very body in these miracles of healing through touch gives us a sense of His ministry finding the faithful who will follow Him, even as the time is being prepared for His rejection.  We've just read the miracle of the loaves and fishes in the wilderness, and been given an image of the Eucharist to come at the Last Supper.  In that context we may also view the life-creating properties of His body and the means by which His Church will participate in His very life.

There is no mistaking the tensions in the Gospel.  Even as the religious leadership have begun to plot against Him, and Herod Antipas has begun to fear Him, so Jesus' ministry takes its next steps.  Jesus withdraws for prayer, but the crowds follow Him and so is born the central miracle of all the Gospels:  the feeding in the wilderness, the foreshadowing of the Eucharist by which the bread of heaven will continually be given in the Church.  Here in today's reading we see what happens when Jesus can finally withdraw for prayer on the mountaintop.  The Gospel notes the increased presence and signs of the divine that take place with His disciples and those who have faith in Him.  It is the first time He is worshiped by the disciples, the first time they confess He is the Christ.  There is this perplexing, paradoxical reality of the flowering of the Church in the midst of signs of persecution.  God's way is being made clear, a path is being given for the Church, despite looming suppression in the figures of authority.  There is really no other way to view our faith but this:  that God's way is not our way and confounds expectations, preparing a path where there doesn't seem to be one at all.  The preparation is being made for the Church to go out to all the world, a people of God collected to one another by faith, sustained in the Eucharist (and thereby His life-creating presence).  We simply don't know what path will emerge out of the narrow and restricted circumstances created by hostility to Christ and to the Gospel.  In this sense, the picture of the disciples alone at sea at three o'clock in the morning, pulling against headwinds and waves in which even these experienced fishermen on this sea are struggling, gives us a place in which to identify our faith.  We can focus on Him and His words, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Be of good cheer in the Greek can also be rendered, "Take courage" or "Take heart." He speaks of the confidence of faith, and His presence.  It is this we rely on through all difficulties, and the example we can see in the Gospel story of God working through all things, no matter how constricted the path seems or circumstances would seemingly allow.  In the face of rejection, faith is the only way -- but we must be prepared to accept outcomes we could never expect, and move forward into the way we're given. 

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into the all the surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

- Matthew 14:22-36

 In yesterday's reading, when Jesus heard of the beheading of John the Baptist, He departed from Nazareth by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  My study bible tells us that this miracle shows the divinity of Jesus because He expresses dominion over nature by walking on the water.  In some sense, it's more powerful a statement than the feeding via the fish and loaves in yesterday's reading.  He defies gravity, the laws of physics; nothing limits Him.  In yesterday's reading, Jesus had sought a place for solitude and the multitudes had followed Him.   Here He prays on the mountaintop in His solitude, after having sent everyone deliberately away -- but even at 3:00 A.M. or thereabouts (in the fourth watch of the night), He is cognizant of what is happening to His disciples, to the ones who love and depend on Him. 

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.   My study bible says here:  "In saying to the disciples, be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid, He is also assuring us He will be with His people in the midst of the storms of life.  Come is the call of Christ in the midst of turmoil."

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"   My study bible points out that "Lord, save me!" is the shortest prayer in the bible.  Short, but effective and immediately answered, it remains the basis for the liturgical refrain, "Lord have mercy."  This is a prayer we can pray always.  It says that "the Greek term for doubt here means wavering, hesitation, or vacillation.  Peter is not denying the faith, but he hesitates and weakens because he has taken his eyes of Christ and focused on the storm."

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  My study bible tells us:  "This is the first time the Apostles confess faith in Jesus as the Son of God.  They know, as did the wise men before them (2:11), that only God should be worshiped."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into the all the surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  Back on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, away from the deserted places and in a place that was known known for its fertile fruit-producing valley and  its remarkable fishing (its Hebrew name meant "garden of riches"), the multitudes come to Him and are healed, the harvest of an abundance of faith.

What does it mean that Jesus comes into a "garden of riches" and heals the multitudes?  Certainly it is evidence of a great faith there.  We've already been told that Jesus can do no "mighty works" where there is unbelief.  The abundance of the harvest, of the "fishing for men" is also clear in the declared faith of the disciples, the recognition of Jesus' divinity ("Truly You are the Son of God").  But that this harvest of abundance of faith comes in contrast to the experience just before it forms a kind of a pattern.  Jesus has just been in a deserted place, to which He withdrew deliberately after hearing of the death of John the Baptist.  But there, the multitudes follow Him.  When there was nothing to eat, He provided the increase of what was on hand.  Now, sending the disciples and the crowds away, He remained to pray on the mountaintop.  But the great winds that pass over this lake put the disciples in danger.  In the great darkness of these earliest hours of the morning, Jesus comes to them.  This is an intensely private setting, in the middle of the lake (otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee), in the middle of the night -- this is a scene only His close disciples experience.  But the revelation is there, in the midst of their isolation, danger and fear.  This is not the place of great abundance, but it is the place of what we could call the greatest revelation.  The understanding of Jesus' divinity here could well be called "the light shining in the darkness."  And really, when we're struggling and feel alone, and it just may be three o'clock in the morning, when fears so easily take hold, that may be the most efficient time to pray.  It may be the time we're given the greatest mercy and make the most effective prayer.  If we can but remember what we are about, we don't know the productivity of the prayer that is possible in those times.  We can't yet see the harvest we may reap on the shore, in the daylight.  But let us remember that He knows what we go through, and teaches us to take courage.  "Save me" or "Lord have mercy" is a good way to pray, anytime, and a powerful prayer that reaches to God.  Our focus may be on the storms, but He draws our consciousness to Himself.  We just don't know how He will answer; in this case, in the most surprising way of all!