Matthew 14:22-33 New International Version
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Walking on Water
Matthew 14:22-33
When can you remember the last time you felt like your life was completely surrounded by darkness?
Matthew 14:24 ESV
[24] but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
The disciples were in a very scary place when they were in the middle of a storm. The disciples had obeyed Jesus and they were in the middle of a storm. It was not like Jonah, who had purposely disobeyed God. The obedient disciples were scared, but this sometimes happens. We find ourselves in situations that are too much and we cannot control it.
Matthew 14:25-26 ESV
[25] And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. [26] But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.
When things are looking terrible, Jesus comes to the disciples walking on the water. At first the disciples do not recognize that it is Jesus. This is true for us. Jesus will meet us in difficult times. It might be that we were obedient, but life can be like that. Jesus will use difficult times to meet us.
Matthew 14:27-29 ESV
[27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” [28] And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” [29] He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
After Peter sees that it is Jesus, Peter asks Jesus if he should come to Him. Jesus calls him to come.
Matthew 14:30 ESV
[30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
Unfortunately , Peter starts to sink. Peter sinks because his focus went off Jesus. He started to look at the waves. The storm had not intensified the waves did not get higher or the winds blow harder. Peter stopped looking at Jesus and focus on his situation.
Faith takes effort. It requires action and deliberate action. We need to stop studying our problems and calculating. Faith is necessary to do the great things God wants us to do. Peter is smart enough to cry out to Jesus. Peter's Faith is not perfect, but He knows Jesus.
Matthew 14:31-32 ESV
[31] Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Jesus doesn't hesitate or scold him, but reaches out to help Peter. Jesus does ask Peter why he doubted, but this is after Jesus pulls him up. Yes, Jesus asks why Peter doubted but it is not to shame him, but to help him grow.
Jesus is not looking to point out our sins, but to have victory. The real victory was getting into the boat with Jesus. The moment they get into the boat, the wind stops. The wind is quiet and the boat is now still.
Matthew 14:33 ESV
[33] And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.
Maybe you, too feel like you are in the storm. Your situation is scaring you or out of control, but when Jesus comes into rescue you, you can give praise to God.
We must remember that it is not our mistakes, our problems or fears that define us, but rather our relationship with Jesus.
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