One evening, after a long day of teaching and helping people, Jesus told His friends to get into a boat. The boat was on a big lake called the Sea of Galilee. Jesus wanted to be alone for a little while to pray to God, His Father in heaven. The sky was turning dark, and the wind began to blow softly.
The friends, called disciples, started rowing the boat across the water. The waves were small at first, like little hills made of water. But soon, the wind grew stronger. The boat rocked up and down, and the friends felt scared because the water was rough. They were far from land, and the night was very dark.
Suddenly, Jesus came walking on the water! Can you imagine that? Walking on the water like it was solid ground! The friends were so surprised and a little frightened. They thought they saw a ghost!
One of the friends, Peter, shouted, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water!” Jesus smiled and said, “Come!”
Peter climbed out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. At first, he felt brave and happy. But then, he looked at the strong wind and the big waves. His heart began to feel afraid, and he started to sink.
Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Right away, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You have little faith,” Jesus said gently, “Why did you doubt?”
They climbed back into the boat. The wind stopped blowing, and the water became calm like a quiet lake. The friends looked at Jesus with wonder and said, “Truly, you are the Son of God!”
That night, the friends learned something very important. Jesus is powerful and loves us very much. Even when things are scary, He is always there to help us. We can trust Him with all our hearts.
Isn’t it amazing that Jesus can walk on water? He shows us that nothing is too hard for Him. When we feel afraid, we can ask Jesus to help us, just like Peter did.
Questions to think about
- What did Jesus do that surprised His friends?
- Why was Peter afraid when he walked on the water?
- What did Jesus do when Peter began to sink?
- How did the friends feel after Jesus stopped the wind?
- What can we do when we feel scared, like Peter?
Message of the story
Jesus is always with us, even in scary times. We can trust Him to help us because He loves us and is very powerful.
Bible passage
Matthew 14:22-33
Matthew 14:22-33 (ICB)
Right after this, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side of the lake while he sent the people away.
After Jesus sent the people away, he went up on a mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
The boat was already a long way from land. The waves were strong because the wind was blowing hard.
Jesus went to the disciples, walking on the water.
When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, “It is a ghost!” and cried out in fear.
But Jesus spoke to them at once. He said, “Be encouraged! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
But when Peter saw the strong wind, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter
