Voyage

Today’s story as told by Don Francisco in song is from Matthew 14:22-33, and is one of the most famous of the miracles of Jesus. Even those who don’t know about Jesus will have heard something about “walking on the water”. Again, the story is told from the point of view of one of its participants, this time by Peter. His boldness in the face of a frightening situation is another example of Peter’s willingness to do it all for Jesus, to demonstrate his trust. What makes this rendering of the story particularly meaningful is the message delivered in the final two lines. Wait for it – it’s well worth the journey through the song. 

From Don Francisco’s first album Brother Of The Son in 1976, here is Voyage To Gennesaret. As before, the audio Bible version used here is the 2002 dramatized NIV Audio Bible by Zondervan Publishing, read by Steven Johnston.

Eleven men besides myself
In a boat both small and light
Pushed off for Gennesaret
In the first watch of the night
But a storm blew up at midnight
Coming hard down on the prow
We started losing headway
Shipping water stern and bow

When someone shouted loud,
“Hey, look to starboard on the sea!”
The men screamed out in terror
At the form we all could see
A man was walking on the water,
And we trembled, cried and prayed
But He stopped and turned and spoke to us,
“It is I, don’t be afraid.”

I shouted out to Jesus,
“If it’s You, then call to me,
And tell me now to come to You
And walk across the sea.”
Without a second’s thought
He looked at me and answered, “Come!”
My insides turned to water
My mind went blank and numb.

I climbed across the gunwhale
Looking straight into His eyes
But long before I reached His side,
The wind began to rise
And I forgot Him in an instant
And I sank just like a stone
I cried out, “Jesus save me!”
And His hand was on my own.

“Oh man of little faith,” He said,
“What made you doubt My word.
Have you been this long with Me
Without knowing what you’ve heard?”

We climbed into the boat
And all at once the wind was gone
The sea turned calm and gentle
The day began to dawn.

We knelt amazed and worshipped Him
For the power He displayed
For all that we had seen
Had left us wondering and dismayed

It was not till after Pentecost
I could really understand
But even when I doubted Him,
He did not let go my hand.