In Sunday’s Sermon we explored the biblical narrative of “Jesus walking on water” in Matthew 14:22-33, and how it illustrated how our faith functions during life's most difficult challenges.

Matthew wants us to see that “divine presence” often arrives when our own human strength is entirely spent, rather than providing an immediate escape from hardship. Jesus made the Disciples get in to the boat; there was no avoiding the storm.

By focusing on “Peter’s cry for help”, the Gospel reading argues that storms reveal the inadequacy of our own self-reliance and the necessity of trusting in our Saviour, Jesus.

Matthew’s account shifts the focus from the miracle of a calmed sea to the true miracle of ‘Christ’s hand’ reaching out in the midst of chaos to save Peter before he was overwhelmed by the chaos of the storm.

Ultimately, the passage offers a message of comfort and hope, and suggests to us that while life doesn’t promise calm waters, it does promise that none of us must face the darkness alone.

When the only prayer left in us is “Lord, save me!” we can make it in the confidence that Jesus is already holding out his saving hand to hold us firm.