Wednesday 21st January 2026

Wednesday, 21 January 2026. 

St Matthew 14: 22 – 36

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Reflection

Peter climbed out of the boat onto the water.  He left the relative safety of the vessel and the company and support of his colleagues and stepped out into the waves.  That doesn’t seem like the best idea in the world.  If you have ever travelled by ferry or had a cruising holiday you will realise that leaving the comfort and protection of a ship in full sail is an action of last resort especially if the sea is rough.  But then perhaps staying aboard didn’t seem a particularly attractive option to Peter.  After all, there was a storm blowing and maybe the boat was at risk of capsizing or sinking. Also his friends were panicking and behaving like headless chickens.  

So, was Peter brave, or was he foolish?  Or was it a rational decision made when it was clear that there was a better alternative to simply staying put?

Sometimes we have to get out of the boat.  Sometimes we have to travel a different way.  Sometimes doing the same old same old with the same old folk just isn’t going to cut it.  Sometimes we have to be decisive and take a risk and step out into the unknown  … in faith.  

Peter wasn’t being entirely reckless.  He had heard Jesus call and started to walk towards him.  But he was distracted by the wind, took his eyes off Jesus and stopped walking.  And that’s when he got into trouble. 

Sometimes when Jesus calls us, we have to take an unorthodox route.  The way may not be easy but the trick is to focus on Him and to keep walking steadily towards Him in faith.  
“Fear not.” Those words from Jesus have echoed down the ages.

Prayer

Lord Jesus
help me avoid being distracted by the storms around me
and keep my eyes focussed on you.
Give me courage when you call me to be willing to travel a different
path
and the faith to reach out to your guiding hand.

Amen