Jesus Walks on Water Bible story for kids

Do you remember the grassy hill, and the twelve baskets full of leftover bread?

That same evening, when everyone had eaten, Jesus sent his friends off in the boat. He told them to go on ahead of him, across to the other side of the lake.

And he stayed behind. He sent all the people home. Then he went up the mountain, by himself, to pray.

The Bible says, "When evening had come, he was there alone."

Just Jesus, and the mountain, and the evening coming down. Talking with God, his Father.

Now, out on the lake, his friends were rowing.

One of them was a man named Peter. Peter was a fisherman. He knew boats, and nets, and this very lake. He knew all about water. And he knew that water is for boats. Not for feet.

Dip, and pull. Dip, and pull. The oars creaked. Little waves slapped against the wood. Maybe some cool spray splashed up onto their faces. Maybe somebody's arms began to ache.

But the wind was blowing the wrong way. The Bible says "the wind was contrary." That means it was blowing right against them, pushing on the front of the boat. So they pulled, and pulled. And the boat went slowly, slowly, against the wind.

The evening turned into night. And the night went on, and on. And there they still were, far out in the middle of the lake.

Another Gospel tells us something lovely here. Jesus could see them. Out there on the water, rowing hard.

Then came the fourth watch of the night. That's the very last part of the night, before morning comes. All night long they had been rowing. From evening, right through to nearly morning.

And the Bible says, "In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea."

Walking. On the water. No boat at all. Just Jesus, coming across the waves toward them.

His friends saw him. And they cried out, "It's a ghost!"

Big, grown-up men. Some of them fishermen, who knew this lake so well. And still, out there in the dark, they were scared.

But immediately, Jesus spoke to them.

"Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid."

Don't be afraid. Long ago, when Jesus was coming into the world, angels said those words. To Mary. To the shepherds. Now Jesus was saying them himself.

And cheer up! Of all the things to say, in the middle of the night, on a windy lake.

Then Peter spoke up.

"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters."

Peter asked. And Jesus answered him with just one word.

"Come!"

And Peter stepped down from the boat.

Maybe his brother Andrew was watching, eyes wide.

Imagine it. A fisherman, who knew all about water, putting his foot down on top of the waves. And then the other foot. Imagine the cool water, right there under his feet, holding him up.

And the Bible says Peter "walked on the waters to come to Jesus."

He walked. On the water. Toward Jesus.

The wind was still blowing. The waves were still moving. And there was Peter, walking on them.

But then Peter noticed the wind, and how strong it was. And he was afraid. And he began to sink. Splash!

And Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand, and took hold of him.

And then, still holding on to Peter, Jesus said,

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

But look what came first. The hand. Then the words.

Then Jesus and Peter got up into the boat. And the wind ceased.

This time, the Bible doesn't tell us of any words to the wind. The moment Jesus stepped into the boat, it stopped.

Imagine those tired oars, resting at last.

And the friends in the boat came to Jesus. They bowed down, and they worshipped him. And they said,

"You are truly the Son of God!"

Do you remember another time on this same lake? When the wind and the sea obeyed him, and his friends said to one another, "Who then is this?"

And this time, they had an answer.

He came to them in the dark, far out on the water.

And far off over the hills, maybe, the sky was just beginning to grow light.

And God was with him. God was with her. God is with you, too.

Drift off, little one. May the same God who reached out His hand the very moment Peter called to Him... hold out His hand to you, every single time you call.