Faith in the King (Matthew 14:22-36)

Opening Prayer

Scripture Reading

Matthew 14:22–36 NKJV

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. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 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. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “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.” When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Introduction

For the last four weeks, Pastor De Beer and his family have been away on holiday.

During that time, we spent some time in the Old Testament - looking at the power of prayer and how God answers his people.

Today we will be jumping back into the book of Matthew.

But before we do that, lets backtrack and quickly revise what we’ve learned.

The Book of Matthew has been teaching us a lot about the Kingdom of God.

How it operates.

How God’s way of doing things is so much different to our way of doing things.

Jesus gave us parables, or comparisons, by which we can better understand what the Kingdom of God is like.

Today we will look at how Jesus began preparing His disciples for the work of the ministry.

But spesifically the value of trials, and how God uses them to the benefit of His people.

Jesus knew, at this point of His ministry, that His time remaining was short.

He was not going to be with his disciples much longer.

Shortly after this, He would be heading to Jerusalem, where He himself would face severe trials and ultimately die for the sins of the world.

He wanted to the disciples to continue the work that He started after He ascended into Heaven.

And in order for them to fulfill that ministry - Jesus had to personally prepare them and equip them with what they lacked.

The disciples lacked faith.

And how would Jesus increase their faith? Trials.

The disciples had already faced trials.

The disciples had experienced the death of a loved one.

John the Baptist had been murdered, and the disciples were grieving over his death.

Shortly after that, the disciples experienced the trial of a lack of resources, where Jesus expected them to feed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish.

And just like the disciples, God will use difficult circumstances in our lives to grow our faith.

Its part of the Christian life.

However, God knows what exactly what He is doing.

He will use these trials to grow your faith, to mature you, and to prepare you for the ministry He has for you.

James 1:2–4 (NKJV)

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Jesus walks on water

Matthew 14:22–27 NKJV

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. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Today as we start our study, we see Jesus sending away the mutlitudes.

Jesus needed some time alone to pray.

But while He would be spending some quality time with His Father - He would send his disciples ahead of Him into the region of Gennesaret, knowing that they were going to be experiencing some trials on the way.

In verse 22, we see the word, “Immediately”. Indicating that Jesus was in a rush.

Why would Jesus be in a rush to send away the disciples?

Well, with the miracles that Jesus was performing - news about Him was spreading quickly.

We’ll see shortly that the people of Gennesaret knew about Jesus and the miracles he performed- even though He had never entered their region.

And with the people becoming more and more aware of who He was, they wanted try to make Him King by force.

John 6:15–16 NKJV

Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,

Jesus, however, knew that the time was not right.

Jesus knew the hearts of the multitudes and that they wanted to make Him King.

And the disciples were also at risk of comforming to the pressure of the crowds.

So what did Jesus do? He sends the disciples ahead of Him to the other side of the sea of Galilee - while He stayed with the mulitudes and sent them away.

He knew that right now - it was not His Father’s Will for Him to be crowned as a King.

Learning point:

And we can learn something from this.

We don’t have to conform to the pressure of the world and expectations of others.

God knows what is best for you.

His timing and His plan is perfect.

We should seek His will for our lives and do things His way - because His way of doing things is not just good, its perfect.

When we obey Him, its to our benefit and He blesses us.

But when we conform to the world and the pressure others place on us - you can be sure you’ll pay for it later.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Let’s have a look at verse 23 again.

Matthew 14:23 NKJV

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.

So, here we see Jesus seperating Himself from the crowds, going up the mountain and spending time alone with the Father in prayer. The best thing He could possibly do.

Learning point:

And just like Jesus - we need to spend time alone with God, every single day, in prayer.

Its the place where we share our hearts with God and He shares His heart with us.

Its a place where He comforts us, encourages us, speaks to us.

You might be praying about something very spesific, and all of a sudden the Holy Spirit brings a passage of scripture to your mind that speaks directly to the thing you are praying about.

You may be praying for guidance and then the Lord shows you the path He wants you to take.

You may be anxious, scared or burdened, and then you cry out God and He reaches out to you and gives you peace.

The Bible tells us that its always the right time to pray.

In fact the Bible says, that this is the will of God for you - to pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NKJV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Jesus always has time for you, and wants to spend time with you.

And you spend time regularly in prayer, you get to experience the excitement of seeing His hand move in your life, and Him answering your prayers.

Lets read verse 26-27 again:

Matthew 14:24–27 NKJV

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

So disciples obeyed what Jesus commanded them, they went ahead to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and unexpectly a great storm arose.

Something that the sea of Galilee was known for.

And Jesus was knew that this would happen. He sent them into this storm!

While Jesus was sitting on top of the mountian, praying on the mountian, He was more than looking down at the Sea of Galilee and seeing them struggling.

Jesus could have stepped in to save them immediately if He wanted to, but verse 25 tells us that Jesus only went to them in the forth watch of the night.

So what does that mean?

The Roman military divided the night watch into four watches of three hours each.

The first watch was 6PM-9PM

The second watch was 9PM-12AM

The third watch was 12AM-3AM

The forth watch was 3AM-6AM.

This means that right now, the disciples have been stuck in the middle of the sea of Galilee for close to 9 hours.

They must have been exhausted and scared for their lives.

And what was Jesus doing? Jesus waited on the mountain, observed them and prayed for them.

Jesus allowed them to struggle.

Why? Because Jesus was about to reveal something to them that would change their lives forever.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing!

And all of a sudden, in the middle of the storm the disciples look out into the distance and guess what they see?

Jesus walking on water.

Jesus came to meet them in their storm.

They must have thought their eyes were playing tricks on them.

Jesus is that you!? No ways, its got to be a Ghost!

They were afraid.

I don’t blame them, I would also be freaking out. I’ve never seen someone walk on water, have you?

And that’s exactly the point: its humanly impossible to walk on water.

But what is impossible with man, is possible with God.

Listen to what the Old Testament says about God in Job 9.8:

Job 9:8 (ESV)

who (God) alone stretched out the heavens

and trampled ( or walks over) the waves of the sea;

Here we see the Old Testament describing God as One who has the power to walk on the waves of the sea.

And what is Jesus doing? His walking on the waves of the sea.

And what Jesus says next, will is breath-taking.

What does He say?

Matthew 14:27 (NKJV)

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

The Greek translation of the words It is I, is egō eimi, which is literally translated as “I am”.

Question: Who here can tell me what God called himself at the burning bush when speaking to Moses?

Exodus 3:14 NKJV

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

Jesus had just walked on water, something that the Old Testament says that only God can do.

And directly afterward identifies Himself as the God of the Old Testament.

He is the great “I am” who spoke to Moses at from the burning bush.

And as we will see in verse 33, the disciples believed Him.

But they could only have learned this, if Jesus had lead them into the storm.

The storm served a very spesific purpose, and Jesus was in control of it.

Jesus allowed this trial into their lives to reveal something about Himself to them, that they could not learn otherwise.

Jesus was building their faith and their trust in Him.

And just like Jesus split the oceans for the Israelites in the Old Testament, Jesus had the power to walk on water.

And when the the disciples put their faith in Him, He was able to accomplish the impossible through them.

An important lesson they needed to learn as Jesus prepared them for the ministry.

Psalm 77:19 NKJV

Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, And Your footsteps were not known.

Isaiah 43:16 NKJV

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters,

Saving Peter and calming the storm

Matthew 14:28–32 NKJV

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. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “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.

Here we see Peter, recognizing Jesus voice in the middle of the storm.

He responds to Jesus by faith.

He calls upon Jesus and asks Jesus to tell him to come to Him.

And just responds with the invitation - “Come”.

And just like Peter, when we find ourselves in the middle of the storm, we can respond in one of two ways:

We can either respond in faith or;

We can respond with fear and doubting.

Peter responded in faith.

Peter was an experienced fisherman.

He understood the severity of this storm. He knew this was a matter of life and death.

But He trusted Jesus and placed his life in His hands.

Either He was going to walk on water, or He was going to trust Jesus to catch Him if He fell.

Psalm 37:24 NKJV

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Peter stepped out onto the water, and Jesus gave Him the power to do the impossible.

And guess what happened, Peter walked on the water.

But the a moment he took his eyes of Jesus - He began to sank.

He looked at his circumstances and the storm raging around Him.

The reality of what He was doing finally hit him, and he began to doubt.

Fear filled his heart.

But Jesus had not left Him.

What the Psalmist in Psalm 69 described methaphorically - Peter was experiencing literally.

Psalm 69:1–3 NKJV

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me. I am weary with my crying; My throat is dry; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

Peter cried out to Jesus while sinking, knowing that his life was now in Jesus hands.

There was nothing He could do but cry out to Jesus.

And what Jesus do? Jesus heard Him and stretched out His Hand to save Him.

Jesus was not going to let Him drown.

But Jesus had to allow this storm into Peter’s life to teach him a valuable lesson.

Peter had to learn through this experience, that he did not have nearly as much faith in Jesus as He thought He had.

That Peter was completely dependent on God.

Peter did not have the power to do that which God had called Him to, but if He would simply step forward in faith - Jesus would accomplish the impossible through Him.

That Jesus would never leave Him nor forsake Him.

Peter could trust Jesus with His life - because Jesus loved him.

Jesus already knew exactly who Peter was, and the shortcomings he had.

Jesus knew that Peter had problems with faith and doubts.

But Peter didn’t.

Peter thought to highly of himself and Jesus needed to humble him.

Jesus would use this storm to reveal to Peter, what He already knew about him.

Peter didn’t know he was a man of little faith, and doubts - so Jesus had to show him through a powerful storm.

Not only that, Jesus would also use this storm to reveal to His disciples aspects of Himself that they could not know otherwise.

Through this storm, the disciples would come to learn that Jesus was in fact God in the flesh.

Finally, when Peter and the disciples had learned what Jesus was teaching them, Jesus helped Peter back into the boat.

And guess what happened? The storm ceased.

He had one final lesson for them to learn: He had power over all creation.

And how did the disciples respond? They worshipped Him as God.

Jesus worshipped:

Matthew 14:33 NKJV

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Just like Jesus had control over their storm, Jesus has complete control over your storm.

You can trust Him.

The best thing that you can do when you’re going through a hard time is to call out to Him and to worship Him.

He see’s you and more importantly, He hears you.

The Son of God heals

Matthew 14:34–36 NKJV

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Now when they had finally arrived at the other side, people recognized Him.

They had heard about what He had done in the surrounding regions.

They had heard of the woman who had been healed from the flowing of blood.

That was why they were begging to touch the hem of His garment.

Matthew 9:20 NKJV

And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.

So they brought the sick to Him.

And Jesus allowed them to touch the hem of his garment.

And just as Jesus healed her, He healed many of them.

Conclusion