***Matthew 14:22-23 The Messiah’s Power to Calm a Storm: The Power of His Presence,

Matthew 14:22–33 (NRSV)

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 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, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians (9-171: Receiving Signals from the Lord (Encouragement))

9-171

Receiving Signals from the Lord

ENCOURAGEMENT

Philippians 2:1–4

(POSB, note 1.)

Is encouragement a part of your daily agenda? “My Favorite Martian” was a popular old television program that featured an unusual fellow who could sense incoming signals around him. You see, he was equipped with a set of antennae.

God has equipped His people with a similar device: spiritual antennae that can pick up signals from the Lord, directing them to other Christians who need encouragement.

What a miracle it is that we often receive a signal, a prompting from the Lord, that burdens us to encourage and minister …

• to the sick and dying

• to the poor and needy

• to the brokenhearted and backslidden

• to the unsaved and lost

• to the lonely and empty

• to the orphan and widow

(14:22–33) Introduction: note that Christ had to constrain His disciples to leave and go to the other shore. They argued against going. There were several reasons why the use of constraint was necessary.

First, right after Christ had fed the crowd, they wished to take Him by force to make Him King (Jn. 6:15). Christ knew the popular view of Messiahship. The Messiah was to lead Israel in revolt against the Roman conqueror, freeing the people and establishing a theocratic government, that is, the rule and reign of God over all the earth (see notes—Mt. 1:1; DEEPER STUDY # 2—1:18; DEEPER STUDY # 2—3:11; notes—11:1–6; 11:2–3; DEEPER STUDY # 1—11:5; DEEPER STUDY # 2—11:6; DEEPER STUDY # 1—12:16; notes—22:42; Lu. 7:21–23). The disciples were caught up in the excitement. Christ had to send them across the lake and disperse the crowd in order to calm the disciples, keeping them from making a serious mistake. Of course, Christ knew that they would be fighting a storm, and having to strain against a storm and fight for survival would calm their excitement. His calming the storm would also prove His Messiahship and again show that He was in control of all things. It would show that He knew the best way to proclaim His Messiahship.

Second, it was time for Christ to move on, for others needed His ministry. He wanted the disciples to make use of what little daylight remained for crossing the lake.

Third, and so important to see, Christ needed time alone for prayer (v. 23).

Fourth, and just as important, Christ wanted the disciples to begin learning one of the most important lessons of their lives: His presence would always be with them, not necessarily His physical presence but His spiritual presence. What they needed was great trust in Him (see Peter’s demonstration of trust, vv. 28–29).

The Lord’s presence makes all the difference in the world. (See outline and notes—Mt. 8:23–27.)

1. Christ’s presence is assured by personal preparation: prayer (vv. 22–23).

2. Christ’s presence conquers fear (vv. 24–27).

3. Christ’s presence stirs the hope of being saved (vv. 28–31).

4. Christ’s presence conquers nature (v. 32).

5. Christ’s presence stirs confession and worship (v. 33).

1 (14:22–23) Preparation, Personal—Prayer: Christ’s presence is assured by personal preparation. This fact is demonstrated by what Christ Himself did, and the lesson is forceful. He got alone for prayer. There are times when long sessions of prayer are needed—no matter the circumstances. If Christ sensed the need, how much more should we.

Christ sent the disciples across the lake and dismissed the crowd; then He got alone to pray. So much had happened that Jesus was just drained and exhausted. The tempter had confronted Him once again, offering the easy way to secure the loyalty of the people (see DEEPER STUDY # 1, 2, 3—Mt. 4:1–11). The people were ready to acclaim Him king, but He knew that human proclamation was only the way of the devil. He had to secure salvation for men through death and the resurrection. He needed time alone with God.

⇒ He needed to be renewed and strengthened. He was physically exhausted.

⇒ He needed to recover a clear perspective of His mission. He was mentally exhausted; His mind was so tired, it was probably like ours after intensive thought and labor—foggy (see He. 4:15–16).

⇒ He needed to be recharged with God’s power and with the singleness of heart to do God’s will. So much power had gone out of Him He was spiritually drained (see Mk. 5:30; see note—Mt. 9:20–22).

Several lessons on prayer can be gleaned from this experience of Christ.

He prayed on top of a mountain. The believer who stands on top of a mountain thinking, viewing the awesomeness of the country below, sees the massiveness of God: His power, majesty, and glory. The believer gains a new perspective of God and man.

Christ prayed in the evening. The evening is a tender and warm time, a time when a person who has worked ever so hard is very much aware of being drained and needing renewal. It is a time when a review of the day and a look ahead to tomorrow can take place. Christ prayed all alone; He needed to share with God face to face.

He prayed “until the fourth watch” (3–6 a.m.), probably seven or more hours.

He prayed in a storm. A storm arose at some point, apparently long before 3 a.m. or the disciples would have already crossed the lake. The importance of prayer to Christ is strikingly seen in the fact that He prayed for so many hours in the midst of a storm.

Thought 1. We are mere people. We get tired so frequently; exhausted so often; tempted so much; pressured so tightly; strained so painfully. We fight to keep our minds on Christ and struggle to maintain a moment-by-moment consciousness of His presence (2 Co. 10:5). We war to keep at our task. Such takes its toll, wears us down mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Our only hope is to learn that Christ’s presence, a consciousness of His presence, is assured by prayer—much prayer. We must learn to spend much time alone with God.

Thought 2. A dedicated person lives in a mad rush and is attacked time and again by distraction after distraction. It is impossible to remain strong and faithful to Christ without getting alone for prayer and renewal. Such is the way God has chosen to teach us to trust. We are not self-sufficient. If we want the assurance of His presence and if we are going to do what He has sent us into the world to do, we must spend time alone with Him.

This is one of the basic laws of spiritual growth and ministry (see outline and notes—Mt. 7:7–11. See Mt. 6:6.)

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Mt. 7:7).

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26:41).

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Lu. 18:1).

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ep. 6:18).

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Th. 5:17).

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually” (1 Chr. 16:11).

2 (14:24–27) Fear—Jesus Christ, Presence: Christ’s presence conquers fear. This is the point seen in the storm and the disciples’ experience in the storm.

a. A storm arose while they were crossing the lake. The word tossed (basavizomenon) means to be tossed about with great force. The picture is descriptive: the boat was tossed about so ferociously that it was in pain and anguish. The storm arose while the disciples were working. They were doing exactly what Christ had told them to do, but the storm still came. How true of life: storms come upon the just as well as upon the unjust (Mt. 5:45).

b. Jesus went to the disciples, but note how: He walked on the sea. However, He did not go to them immediately. Why?

1) Because He needed to teach them to trust Him and to obey His command no matter what happened to them. They were doing what He had told them to do, so they could trust His care and His will.

2) Because He needed to teach them to go about conquering the storms of life by using their own skill and strength. They needed to learn to use all the gifts they had in struggling against the storms of life. He would step in only after they had done all they could. Once their own strength and skill had been exhausted, the praise for salvation would go to God and His delivering power, not to man.

c. The disciples were stricken with fear, they thought they were seeing a ghost. The physical and mental condition of the disciples is important at this point. They were physically exhausted, having struggled against the storm for hours, and they were mentally drained from using all the skill at their disposal. Their lives were threatened, and they were struggling for survival. All of a sudden out of nowhere they saw a figure, an apparition (ghost) walking on the water. They were frightened, perhaps bordering on going into shock—perhaps thinking that the “death angel” or a premonition of their death was at hand (Peter’s impulsive request seems to indicate this). Then all of a sudden a voice shouted out: “It is I; be not afraid.” Exhausted, frightened, shocked—fearing and struggling for their lives and being face to face with a real apparition—the disciples were suffering an almost unbearable experience.

d. Jesus gave assurance of His presence. Christ’s sudden presence on the water was a great encouragement to the disciples, yet they were not quite sure it was Him: “Lord, if it be thou.” His words and His presence are a marvelous revelation of His care and power to save us through the storms of life (see DEEPER STUDY # 1—Jn. 6:20).

DEEPER STUDY # 1

(6:20) “It is I” (eimi): this is one word in the Greek, eimi, which is simply “I AM” (Jn. 18:6). Jesus was saying, “I AM” has come—fear not. He was reminding the disciples who He was, the Son of God Himself. He possessed all power; therefore, there was no need to fear. This was the same message that God gave to Moses at the burning bush, “I am that I am” (Ex. 3:13–15, esp. 14). It was the same message that Jesus used as a defense against the religionists, “Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn. 8:58). It is the same message that Col. 1:15–17 claims for Him; and it is the same message that is proclaimed by the book of Revelation, “He that is, and was, and is to come” (Re. 1:4, 8; 11:17; 16:5). (See note—Jn. 1:1–2.)

There are several “I Am’s” claimed by Christ.

⇒ I Am the Messiah (Jn. 4:26).

⇒ I Am (It is I); be not afraid (Jn. 6:20).

⇒ I Am the Bread of Life (Jn. 6:35).

⇒ I Am from Above (Jn. 8:23).

⇒ I Am the Light of the World (Jn. 8:12; 9:5; 12:46).

⇒ I Am before Abraham was, I am (eternal) (Jn. 8:58).

⇒ I Am the Door (Jn. 10:7).

⇒ I Am the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:14).

⇒ I Am the Son of God (Jn. 10:36).

⇒ I Am the Resurrection and Life (Jn. 11:25).

⇒ I Am the Lord and Master (Jn. 13:13).

⇒ I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn. 14:6).

⇒ I Am the True Vine (Jn. 15:1).

⇒ I Am Alpha and Omega (Re. 1:8).

⇒ I Am the First and the Last (Re. 1:17).

“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28:20).

Thought 1. We should not turn back when storms arise, no matter how terrible the trial (see Mt. 13:5, 21). Christ is able to take the trials of life and make opportunities out of them. They give us experience in the life of faith.

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Ro. 5:3–5).

Thought 2. This is human distress at its height, a terrifying experience. The thrust of the point is clear: we are helpless when caught in the greatest storms of life. Christ’s presence alone can save us through those storms. His presence alone can conquer our fears, giving us hope and security.

Thought 3. Storms can be moments of sorrow, self-conflict, temptation, decision making, or any adverse circumstance. Christ is ever so near and ready to help those who will call out to Him. His presence is most assuring, comforting, and strengthening to the true disciple.

3 (14:28–31) Peter—Faith, Weak: Christ’s presence stirred the hope of being saved. When Peter heard Christ’s voice, he was stirred.

a. Peter’s hope was stirred: he could be saved by Christ’s presence. He asked permission to join Christ. Peter’s request was most unusual, and it has always baffled some persons. We must picture the scene: the physical and mental exhaustion; the hours of struggle for survival against the storm; the fear that strikes when thoughts of death face a person for so many long and unbroken hours; the fright of seeing a real apparition; the state of shock from confronting so much. Peter thought he was dying. A man in such a condition wants to be saved and delivered from danger. Peter knew Jesus, both His power and His love: “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee [save me, get me out of this danger].” Peter was not thinking in terms of miracles. His mind was too occupied for that. He was in a hopeless situation; he wanted to be saved.

Note another point: Peter was not wanting to go to Christ because he loved Christ. He loved Christ, but right now his thoughts were on the love and power of Christ to save him. Christ was his only hope for being saved from death. Christ’s presence stirred Peter’s hope: Christ could save him.

b. Jesus’ command was, “Come.” The word is strong; Christ was not merely giving Peter permission to come; He was commanding Peter. When a person sees that Jesus is his salvation, the command is there: “Come.”

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).

c. Peter’s faith faltered. Peter saw Jesus, his hope of being saved. He knew Jesus cared and loved and had the power to save him. He had his eyes upon Jesus. It was when he took his eyes off Jesus, focusing on the storm, that his faith began to weaken and he began sinking. Note that Christ saved him despite weak faith: “Lord … help thou mine unbelief” (Mk. 9:24). There is some faith in the cry, “Lord … help.”

Thought 1. There is a picture of salvation in this scene. A man’s hope is stirred: Christ’s presence can save him. He asks to join Christ, and Christ commands “Come.” The man begins to walk toward Christ, passing over the turbulent waves of life. All of a sudden, he turns his attention away from Christ to the storms of life and begins to sink. He cries out in desperation, “Lord, save me,” and Christ reaches out and saves him.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro. 10:13).

“This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (Ps. 34:6).

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps. 61:2).

Thought 2. The Lord’s presence is the answer to the storms of life—to all distressed spirits:

“We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (1 Pe. 1:5).

d. Jesus saved Peter but rebuked his faltering faith. He saves a person with little faith, but He rebukes it.

“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you” (Lu. 17:6).

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (He. 11:6).

4 (14:32) Deliverance: Christ’s presence conquers nature. He is the Messiah, the Sovereign Lord over all. He demonstrated His Messiahship, adding proof upon proof to this handful of believers to whom He was to entrust His cause. He brought peace to a sea that reeled to and fro for their sake. He would always be present to help them no matter the severity of trial. They must know this, and they must learn that He could bring peace to any reeling and hopeless soul that will call upon Him.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

5 (14:33) Confession—Decision—Worship: Christ’s presence stirs confession and worship. The disciples experienced great relief—a drained, exhausted relief. They had been saved and delivered from the life-threatening storm by the power of Christ. Never before had they witnessed such power. There was no alternative, no other action to be taken: “They came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” They understood more than ever before, not perfectly, but enough to acknowledge Him as the Son of God.

DEEPER STUDY # 1

(14:33) Son of God: see DEEPER STUDY # 3, Jesus Christ, Son of God—Mt. 1:16; DEEPER STUDY # 2—1:18; DEEPER STUDY # 1—Jn. 1:1–5; note—1:34 for discussion. See Mt. 27:43; Mk. 1:1; Lu. 1:35; 3:38; Jn. 3:18; 5:25; 9:35; 10:36; 11:4; 19:7; 20:31; Ac. 8:37; 9:20; Ro. 1:4; Ga. 2:20; Ep. 4:13; 1 Jn. 3:8; 4:15; 5:5, 10, 13, 20.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 10:32).

“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God” (Lu. 12:8).

Thought 1. Note: they not only professed belief, but they worshipped Him. There is a vast difference.

“And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Lu. 24:51–52).