He Came Walking on the Water

Preliminary:

I invite your attention to Matthew14:22

Have you ever been in a situation, you thought had to be handled supernaturally? It just won’t be fixed unless God intervenes? I’ve had a few of those.

Let me ask another question - have you ever had a situation like that and God shows up —but it gets worse instead of better?

Lets read about an incident in the Bible like that:

Read: Matthew 14:22

Matthew 14:22–33 KJV 1900

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Introduction:

Jesus has just preformed an amazing miracle - he multiplied food to feed a massive multitude. John’s version of this story indicates the people were so impressed with Jesus cooking and multiplication skills that they wanted to make him king by force. So he puts the disciples in a boat.

It doesn’t sound like Jesus was sweet talking to His disciples to go out in the boat either.

[in a sweet patronizing voice} “Peter, watch your step, come on lets go ahead and board the boat” “James, you coming...” “Come on John quit dawdling”

No it says “He constrained” that means compelled - it was an urgent need. He was probably pushing them in.

But as we talked earlier - things seem to get worse before they get better - I know real encouraging - but did you notice how alone they were:

Alone:

We always look at the battle and burden of the disciples in this story - but think of this:

Jesus has taught all day, performed an amazing miracle representative of the “Manna” from the Exodus days,

and in return they weren’t interested in believing on Him - they wanted to control Him - use Him for their benefit.

Look at verse 23 (Matthew 14:23) When the evening was come, he was there alone.

The crowds (His screaming fans) were gone

The disciples were gone (he had pushed them into the boat) they were gone - HE was alone.

Yes He was alone to pray - but He was alone.

Now you may have trouble concieving this - but sometimes when we are alone - we get an unwelcomed visitor -

That’s when Satan likes to make his move - Jesus had some runins with him before - I can just see him tempting Jesus again - Look everyone has left you again - they won’t listen to you, they won’t do what you want them to - why don’t you just abandon your plan and follow me...”

Have you ever tried to pray and felt worse when you were done than when you started?

Please don’t think me irreverent or anything - but I wonder if this isn’t what happened to Jesus - We have to remember “He was tempted and tested in all points like as we are but without sin.”

Mark 6:45-56 gives us a fascinating detail: Jesus leaves His mountain prayer spot and comes to the sea shore when “even was come”

Mark 6:47 KJV 1900

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

And what… “he [Jesus] was alone on the land”

Sometimes it helps to move prayer spots - but Jesus seems to be here for sometime until the fourthwatch (4:00 a.m.).

I’m not saying that happened, I’m just saying it could have.

Whatever happened - Jesus was alone

But the disciples were also alone:

Look at verse 24 (Matthew 14:24)

Matthew 14:24 KJV 1900

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

Now I don’t know how long they were in the contrary wind and waves - but I know they got in the boat around or a little after dark around 6:00 p.m. Jewish time

It was getting pretty rough - but this storm wasn’t beyond them -

Although Jesus on the shore - could see them toiling, working

I can hear the disciples:

Peter: “You know guys, I was ready to go to bed, we had been out there all day and Jesus put us in this boat. “

John: “Yeah, I know, I haven’t had a good nights sleep in a long time” And will these waves and wind ever stop - I’m ready to get to shore and go home.

Peter: “But here we are stuck out here on the sea ALONE”

Never Alone

We need to remember that sometimes when we are toiling all the night through -

wrestling in prayer

battling the onslaught of the devil

struggling with temptation

Greiving with no relief in sight

Whatever your boat, contrary winds, and waves might be

If the Disciples could have just lifted their gaze above all the - exhaustion, beyond the wind and waves, past their complaining

If they would have looked to the shore they would have seen something that would have banished all fear, doubt, and confusion - for there was Jesus watching them rowing and toiling along.

In our “Most Alone Times”

Remember that we are never alone - Feeling or no feeling, seeing or no seeing God is there - Jesus is on the shore watching you toiling and struggling

I’ve seen the lightning flashing, And heard the thunder roll, I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, Trying to conquer my soul; I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, He bid me still fight on: He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.

Or Oatman put it this way:

Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him? No, not one! No, not one! Or sinner find that He would not take him? No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done; There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, No, not one! No, not one!

He Came Walking on the Water

So here it is the fourth watch - 4:00 a.m. not long before sunrise and of all things instead of things getting calmer and better the drama ramps up -

One of the disciples were probably lowering a sail and something catches his eye of the bow of the boat. He calls over the other disciples and they look - it looks like a form a ghostly form floating on the water.

I can just hear them - “It’s not like were in a boat, in a storm, at nearly 4 in the morning - now a ghost???”

The Bible says in Matthew 14:26 the first real word on how the disciples are doing in all of this - it says they were troubled.

I love how the English language sometimes cleans things up so nice and pretty - they were troubled -

They were terrified- They had just seen what they thought was a ghost

This was the end - it was over forget the wind and waves - were gonna die

Yes - things do often get worse and as Dr. Bar used to say “Bad days comes in bunches” but no matter where you are right now....

Just hold on

The fourth watch is coming...

Do you know what happens at the fourth watch?

More trouble - The disciples get scare out of their wits - and begin to scream like a bunch of girls.

What you don’t believe me.. Matthew 14:26 “They cried out in fear” that means they screamed

But we don’t want to stop then - I’m more concerned about what happens at the fourth watch 01 what I mean is 4:01 a.m.

at 4:00 a.m. everything was over

At 4:01 a.m. they hear the voice, it becomes clear who it really is Peter calls out - if its you Jesus call me out to you

And he hears “COME”

And for a few moments Peter walks on the water - only two people have ever really walked on water that I’m aware of - Jesus and Peter

But then Peter picks up the problem again - isn’t it just like us to know Jesus is here now - but we pick up all our baaggage again -

That burden that we just can’t put down

That heartache we just can’t let go of

The fear we just can’t seem to get rid of

that whatever it might be for you

And when he see the winds and waves -

the same winds and waves that he saw from the boat alone - without seeing Jesus

The same winds and waves he had been rowing and toiling against for many hours that night

He just couldn’t let it go

Like I said things seem to get worse before they get better

As Peter’s gaze shifts from Jesus to the storm he begins to sink

Sink in the water, sink in despair,

He cried out again - “Lord Save me”

And Jesus was right there -

He walked out to the disciples on the boat

He walked over to Peter sinking in the waves

He will walk to whereever you are this morning

Jesus got Peter and put him back in the boat and the wind ceased, the waves calmed down, the sun started to rise

And they had a worship service -

This morning I don’t know where you are maybe you are just being pushed into the boat

Maybe you are rowing and toiling out in the sea

Perhaps you are screaming like a little girl terrified

It could be you are sinking in the waves

Whereever you are - don’t ever forget He Knows

And He can come to where you are

Penny Ford wrote that encouraging little chorus:

He’ll come walking on the water of life’s troubled sea.

For He knows we need His presence, so calm we can be.

Tho’ the billows round me roll

and the boistrous winds do blow

In the hollow of His hand

I am resting in HIs plan

What a wonder just to know

That my Lord is in control

In the midst of it all.

Now I’m not just giving you sweet platitudes this morning

I’m speaking from personal experience -

I know what it is to live at 4:00 a.m.

But thank God I’ve had a few of those 4:01’s where Jesus comes walking on the water.