Peter Walks on Water

It begins not with a storm but with an order. Straightway Jesus constrains his disciples to get into a ship and to go before him unto the other side, while he sends the multitudes away and goes up into a mountain apart to pray. They did not drift into that night; they were sent into it. Below him the ship is in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind is contrary -- not merely strong, but opposed. Hour after hour it does not turn, and Matthew leaves them in it until the fourth watch, the last dark stretch before morning.

Then Jesus goes unto them, walking on the sea. They are troubled, saying, It is a spirit, and they cry out for fear -- the answer to their long night arrives in person and they do not recognise it. But straightway he speaks: Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Peter answers, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. He will not set one foot outside the ship without a word to stand on. And he said, Come.

Peter comes down out of the ship and walks on the water. Then he sees the wind boisterous, is afraid, and beginning to sink cries, Lord, save me -- and immediately Jesus stretches forth his hand and catches him. O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? The wind ceases when they come into the ship, and they that were in it worship him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Peter is the only man who ever walked on that water, and he is also the one who sank. Both are in the same story.