Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. (Matthew 14:22-23 NKJV)
Sometimes Jesus sends us forth ahead of Him. Perhaps it’s because Jesus has a special miracle planned for us. The crowd wanted to make Jesus an earthly king. When seduced by worldly promotion that is not in God’s plan, find a solitary place to pray, and seek the Lord’s will.
But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. (Matthew 14:24 NKJV)
When Jesus sends us forth, we may be tossed by waves. Shallow lakes are known for dangerous storm waves. Sometimes we doubt our calling. Jesus knows a storm is coming, winds of false doctrine, waves of temptation, and storms of mistreatment. We must walk by faith and not by sight.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. (Matthew 14:25 NKJV)
The fourth or last night watch was from about 3am to sunrise. Sometimes we go through most of the night before Jesus comes. He may come with a miracle, or supernatural event, like walking on water. God often intervenes just before we lose hope. He wants to teach us faith.
And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. (Matthew 14:26 NKJV)
When God appears people are often afraid. We must remember that, like at Mount Sinai and the Sea of Galilee, God reveals Himself because we are highly favored. As they thought that Jesus was an apparition, we too can think that Jesus is somebody else. Remember, God comes to bless.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27 NKJV)
While tossed about with trials of faith, Jesus comes and speaks to us. Jesus calms the storms and provides safety. A church worship space is called the nave, meaning ship. As Noah was brought to safety (1 Peter 3:20-21), Jesus comes and carries us through the storms to eternity.
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. (Matthew 14:28-29 NKJV)
Peter asked Jesus to let him walk on water too, “So He said, ‘Come.’” Some people are bold like Peter and jump right in. There is no criticism of that personality here, in an initial rush of faith and desire to be with Jesus. Spontaneity is good. Perseverance is better.
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30 NKJV)
After his impetuosity, Peter began to doubt. He was afraid. In the conflict between sight and faith, faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Sinking in life’s stormy waters, often we have more zeal than faith. In our tempestuous circumstances we cry out, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:31-33 NKJV)
Why do we doubt? Like Peter we sometimes step out on faith. Like Peter, we don’t continue in faith. Peter began with a prayer request, followed by an invitation from Jesus to “Come.” All this brings us to declare verbally, like the disciples, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Sometimes we seem to be all alone at night in a stormy sea. We step out on faith. We doubt and begin to sink. Tossed by waves of temptation and doubt, we cry out for help. Jesus comes to us in the dark, as we feel like we are about to drown, and calms the waters.
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Readings
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 How many of us have been betrayed and sold out by others because of the favor we have with our heavenly Father?
Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b Do our hearts rejoice as we seek the Lord? Do we remember His marvellous works or call them myths? Remember: After thirteen years of slavery and imprisonment, God mightily blessed Joseph.
[1 Kings 19:9-18 In the midst of those who worship Ba’al, we may feel quite alone, yet in a still small voice God reminds us that 7,000 others believe as we do.
Psalm 85:8-13 God will speak peace to His people, His saints.]
Romans 10:5-15 Law-righteousness is surpassed by faith-righteousness. With the heart one believes unto righteousness.
Matthew 14:22-33 in Rhyme
---
Jesus sent His disciples away
While He went up a mountain to pray
When evening came, He was alone
But the boat was wave tossed and wind blown
---
By night He came walking on the sea
And they cried out, It’s a ghost we see
But Jesus told them, Be of good cheer!
It’s okay, it’s me, no need to fear
---
And Peter answered, Lord, if it is You
Tell me to walk on the water too
And on the water Peter did walk
But seeing the wind began to balk
---
Starting to sink he cried, Lord, save me!
And Jesus caught him, hearing his plea
O You of little faith, Jesus said,
Why did you doubt? Then the wind stopped dead
---
Then they worshiped Him, saying in laud
That, Truly You are the Son of God.
