Simon Peter: Walking on Water vs. Swimming to Shore

Matthew 14:28–31 | John 21:7–8

Peter walked on water exactly once. The reason why might be the key to staying in the center of God's will.

Peter walked on water once.

When Jesus appeared on the shore in John 21, Peter jumped in an swam.

I don’t know about you, but I've always found that interesting. This might sound crazy, but why didn't Peter walk on the water to see Jesus? He'd done it before.

But read Matthew 14 again carefully. Jesus didn't simply appear and Peter didn’t spontaneously step out of the boat and walk on the water. Peter asked: "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water." And Jesus said, "Come."

That word — Come — is such an important command. What is more important though is Who gave the command — Jesus Christ — because Jesus makes possible happen in seemingly impossible situations.

In John 21, there is no command. Peter sees Jesus on the shore, wraps his outer garment around himself, and jumps in. Which is exactly what you'd do if you were in a fishing boat 100 yards out and wanted to get somewhere quickly.

Nothing supernatural. Just Peter being Peter — impulsive, eager, moving on instinct.

The question I keep coming back to: why didn't Jesus call Peter to walk on the water that morning?

Maybe He didn't need to. Peter was already moving toward Jesus. Maybe John 21 wasn't about the miracle — it was about the reunion. About a man who had denied Jesus three times, now sprinting (or swimming) back to Him without hesitation.

But I think there's something else worth sitting with.

The variable in Matthew 14 wasn't Peter's faith level. It wasn't his spiritual maturity or his track record. It was the specific, direct invitation from Jesus. Peter walked on water because Jesus said come — not because Peter decided it was a good idea. Now, let's give Peter props because he had to exercise faith in Jesus to experience the possible happen in an impossible situation.

When we operate within what God has specifically called and equipped us to do, we are capable of things that defy ordinary explanation. When we operate on our own instincts — even good ones, even urgent ones, even ones pointed in the right direction — we get Peter swimming.

Which isn't wrong. Swimming is fine. Peter still got to Jesus.

But there's a difference between swimming and walking on water.

The lesson I keep coming back to: obedience to a specific calling, not general enthusiasm in the right direction, is what unlocks the extraordinary.

The question worth asking — in how we lead, how we serve, how we steward what we've been given by God — isn't just am I moving toward the right thing? It’s have I actually been called to this, in this way, right now?

That distinction changes everything.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we read in the New Testament Your many commands for us to come to You. One of these commands continues to be realized in my life in unfathomable ways, and it this assurance in Jesus that I pray will be realized for the person reading this post. You say to us in Matthew 11:28 — "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

May your unmistakable rest and peace be realized this day and each day forward as we walk this earth. Amen.