CRASH! BOOM! A fierce storm churned across the Sea of Galilee, and waves pummeled the small boat like giant fists. Petros (Peter) had always felt at home on the wild and impetuous sea, perhaps because he was a bit wild and impetuous himself. Always blurting and bristling, Peter was a coil of constant energy waiting to be released. That had been helpful to him as a fisherman, but since following Yeshua (Jesus), he wondered if there was a place for his wildness with this peaceful teacher.

Peter squinted through the dark and downpour, as if he could see back to shore. Back to where he and the other disciples had sailed away from Jesus. Jesus, who always showed him the way. Jesus, who always seemed to believe in him. Jesus, who gave him the name Peter, which means “rock.” Rocks stand firm, Peter thought as the wind tugged at him. They also sink, teased the doubts in his mind. BOOM! CRASH! SPLASH!

 It was too dark to see his friends and too loud to hear their cries, but Peter could feel their worry. Could their little boat survive this raging storm? Then, through the sheets of rain and teetering waves, they saw a…something. Too big to be a fish. Too solid to be a wave. Is it…a person? It can’t be! “A ghost!”  They screamed and scrambled. They sobbed and shrieked. But then…

“Take courage,” came Jesus’s voice over the storming seas and the disciples’ fearful cries. Jesus was walking to them across the sea. God in person, passing over the good creation. “It’s me! No need to fear,” Jesus called. And though they were chilled to their chattering bones, his voice warmed them from within.

As often happened. Peter’s words escaped his mouth before he could think. “Jesus if it’s really you, tell me to meet you on the water,” Peter bellowed. If you are who you say you are, ask me to come with you. If I am who you say I am, I should be able to. “Come along, then!” called Jesus. The storm carried on around them. But Peter had a wild heart, and it loved Jesus fiercely. He felt it knocking on his ribs as he scooted down the side of the boat toward the raging sea.

 BABOOM. Worry.
BABOOM. Excitement.
BABOOM. Now worry again.
And then—how?—he was walking! He was doing what his teacher did. And with every impossible step, his thoughts surged. He changed my name. He calls me Peter—the rock. My heart is wild, but he calls me solid. I belong with him. He belongs with me. I am beloved. Before Peter knew it, his feet had carried him across open sea, closer to Jesus. But the thunder clapped and the wind roared and Peter’s wild heart shook as his fear returned. What if I’m not who he says I am? What if I don’t belong? His toes! His ankles! His legs! His knees! Ice-cold water gobbled them up as Peter began to sink.

“Jesus!” he shrieked. “Rescue me!” But Jesus knew. Jesus was near. He grabbed Peter and said gently, “Oh, Peter, with your tiny trust, why did you waver?” Together, they returned and climbed back into the boat—Peter shaken, and Jesus calm. The calm was catching: At once the wind hushed up and the storm slunk away. As they watched the wilds of creation grow tame around Jesus, everyone on the boat fell to the ground. “You really are God’s Son!” they cried. And Peter looked on in amazement. You are who you say you are. I am who you say I am.

The Good News adapted from Matthew 14.