Just Keep Walking

Matthew 14:22–33 CSB

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Today’s passage takes place directly on the heels of Jesus feeding the 5000

Jesus spent the day teaching and performing miracles and then fed the multitude…it had been a long day

There are times we need to get away and recharge.

For Jesus the best way to rest and recharge was to spend time with His Father (He went to pray)

The disciples should have been to the other side but the “wind was contrary” [tell the story of the time the boat motor quit, the battery died, and we swam the boat in against the wind]

We don’t know exactly what time the disciples left or how long Jesus was praying but we do know when He left to catch up with them

4th watch is between 3 and 6 AM =this is the final watch of the night, there is belief that demonic spirits who had been out working all night were heading back to base at this time, this is also the time a great many events took place throughout scripture

Fear can prevent us from seeing the miracle right in front of us.

The disciples were already nervous because of the weather

I am sure they were tired from the day and struggling against the sea all night was not helping

Last time this happened Jesus was with them but now they were on their own

In their fear they couldn’t see Jesus

Jesus meets us in the middle of our storm.

Focus on Jesus, not on the circumstances around us.

Peter stepped out of the boat in faith because Jesus called him

Peter walked on water….

The second Peter took his eyes off of Jesus he began to sink

Jesus saves.