On the heels of the largest catered seafood picnic ever recorded, Jesus stepped back from busy ministry life for solitude and prayer. And He was at it a good long while. During the “fourth watch of the night” (v. 25), Jesus went out to them, walking on the water. The Jews of the time had adopted the Roman division of night watches into four segments, the final watch lasting from 3:00 to 6:00 a.m. The disciples were probably as spooked as they were groggy when they strained their eyes to comprehend this figure strolling through the waves in the wee hours of the morning.


As one of C.S. Lewis’s characters says of Aslan the great lion, “Of course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” Jesus isn’t “safe.” Sometimes His call involves risk. He tests the faith of those He loves, and this time it was Peter’s turn. “Come,” Jesus replies. I envision Jesus like the father of a one-year-old, encouraging the little one to test his legs and walk, “Come on, son. You can do it!” These are the words He lovingly challenges us with today.