Matt 14:22-36 "Jesus Walks on Water"

If you are new…Welcome! I’m Pastor Marc. Calvary Chapel is known for the simplicity of teaching chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse in a relaxed environment with solid worship. Thanks for joining us today!

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Please turn in your Bibles to Matt 14. We pick up in V22 today and will finish the chapter.

Last week, we read Jesus and the disciples attempted to go to a deserted place to be refreshed following the Twelve Apostles returning from their missionary journey, and Jesus receiving news that people were saying He was a prophet…possibly Elijah…also that Herod Antipas thought Jesus was John returned from the dead, thus sought to see Jesus.

So, they departed Capernaum…headed to Bethsaida (likely west of Capernaum…Bethsaida of Galilee) where Jesus fed the 5000.

And, I see two miracles in the Feeding of the 5000…

First, the obvious...the disciples put what little resources they had into Jesus’ hand…just 5 loaves and two fish…and He multiplied them. A great reminder for us to give what little we can offer to Jesus…and as we put our resources, our talents...our very lives into Jesus’ hands…watch how He can multiply them.

Second, it was amazing to observe Jesus’ grace…He and the disciples were heading to a desolate place to be refreshed, and the multitude followed them…instead of being frustrated…Jesus “was moved with compassion for them.” In this, we observe The Grace of the King.

In both of these situations, Jesus was stretching the disciples.

Regarding ministry...they had more in them and Jesus was drawing it out.

Regarding faith, trust, and revelation of who Jesus was...they were lacking (Mark says they were “hard hearted”), even after two years of being with Jesus. Yet, Jesus did not give up on them.

Today, we will see that Jesus continues to show Himself to them until they fully grasp who He is and worship Him. He is the King, the Messiah, the Lord. Truly, He is the Son of God and He is worthy of our worship.

Picking up in V22. The title of today’s sermon is “Jesus Walks on Water.”

Let’s Pray.

Matt 14:22-23 “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.”

Notice the words “immediately” and “made” in V22...

The word “made” in V22 by def. means “compelled, forced, strongly urged.” Why does Jesus make the disciples get in the boat and depart following the feeding of the 5000?

Jesus compels them to get in the boat...Were the disciples were pushing back?… “But, we want to stay with you!” “But, we want to help with the multitude.”

Were the disciples having a “But, God” moment?

I know none of you have these moments…but, I heard some people at other churches have these moments.

Whatever the exact push back from the disciples, Jesus compels them ahead and they do yield to His command.

And, there is a sense of urgency to depart, as seen in the word “immediately” in V22. Why the sense of urgency? We find the answer in John’s Gospel...

John 6:14-15 “Then those men [the men at the Feeding of the 5000], when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 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.”

This verse shows us not only why Jesus immediately departed from the multitude, but also the heart of Jesus…fully submitted to the Father’s will and fleeing temptation. How so?

These men at the ‘Feeding of the 5000’ (which was a predominately Jewish crowd) equated Jesus to “the Prophet”...looking back to Deut 18:15 where Moses declared, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear...”

Moses fed the people and led them out of bondage, and now Jesus fed the people…surely these men thought He would lead them out of bondage from their Roman oppressors. Thus, they planned to take Jesus by force to make Him king...their political Messiah.

Many people would embrace this temptation, but they would call it “opportunity.” A huge crowd of people wanted to elevate you as king? Many people long for that power.

But Jesus was not just a man…He was the God-man, and He came not to accept a kingdom from man…

And, this was not the first time Jesus was offered a kingdom. You may recall in Matt 4, Satan also offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world...” Matt 4:8-9 “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Jesus will have His kingdom on earth and into eternity, but it will be given to Him by the Father at His appointed time (as we see in Ps 2:7-12 and Dan 7:13-14). These other kingdoms offered to Jesus by man and by Satan were shortcuts and were not the Father’s will. Jesus came with much greater purpose…to redeem mankind by becoming the sacrificial lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

F. B. Meyer wrote, “He always fled when they wanted to make Him King, and presented Himself when they wanted to crucify Him.”

William MacDonald wrote, “He would not ascend the throne until first He had ascended the altar of sacrifice.”

Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb. The Lamb displays the purpose of His first coming…to be a sacrifice, and the Lion display the purpose of His second coming…to be a conquering King.

Jesus was fully submitted to the Father’s plan which led to the cross. And, that’s why we see Jesus immediately depart…to flee this crowd who wanted to exercise their will…to force Jesus to be their political messiah.

Mark tells us where Jesus sent them, Mark 6:45 “Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.”

So Jesus hangs back and made the disciples get in the boat…likely a Galilean fishing boat that holds about 15 people (not a canoe), and sails toward Bethsaida…and we talked last week about how there were two towns called Bethsaida…I have a map of these towns…Bethsaida of Galilee (the traditional site of the Feeding of the 5000) and Bethsaida Julius east of Capernaum.

And, while there is scholarly debate on which Bethsaida they sailed to...ultimately, in V34 we see they arrive in the land of Gennesaret, which scholars agree is on the North West coast of the Sea of Galilee…labeled the “Gennesaret Valley” on the map. So, that’s the geography.

One more observation before moving on...notice what Jesus does when He sends His disciples…Jesus goes off alone on the mountain to pray.

Jesus had a long day of ministry…and His disciples are heading into a storm…I’m not sure when or if He slept, but we know He prays.

And, if Jesus got alone with God to pray…how much more important is it for us to get alone with God to pray?

Matt 14:24 “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

The disciples are now in a bad place... the middle of the sea…John tells us “they had rowed about three or four miles” and the lake is about 7 miles wide, so about 3 1/2 miles to either shore…a storm is upon them and their boats is being tossed by the waves…big waves. The wind was contrary…it was against them…so, the sails are down. And, Mark tells us… “He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.”

The word straining in Gk. basanizō, means “to torture... pain, torment.”

Several of these guys were professional fishermen and they were tortured by the rowing…this is bad.

They had been on the water for about 9-12 hours. We saw in VSS 22-23 that Jesus made the disciples get in the boat...then evening came (our 3-6pm), and it seems from Mark’s account that it is evening when the boat was in the storm in the middle of the sea...in V24 Jesus comes to them in the fourth watch (3-6am)… so they were tortured by rowing for somewhere around 9-12 hours.

They are in the middle of the sea trying to get to shore, they are rowing, but they are not getting anywhere…even though point A to Point B was not a long distance.

But, in that terrain sudden violent storms can erupt…cold air rushing down the surrounding mountains (4,000 feet above sea level) colliding with the warm valley air down in the Sea of Galilee (700 feet below sea level). The cold air colliding with the warm air can create a storm…and the disciples are likely caught in the midst of one such storm.

And, why are they in this situation? Why are they caught in this storm? Driven nearly four miles out in middle of the sea…trying to gain control, but out of control…straining by rowing for about 9 hours…blistered hands...completely exhausted…why are they there? Because Jesus told them to go…He compelled them to get in the boat and go before Him to the other side.

Jesus didn’t keep them from the storm, He led them to the storm.

They were right in the middle of God’s will. And, sometimes being right in the middle of God’s will is not always pretty…it’s purposeful, but sometimes it’s also painful.

But, if life were perfect all the time…many would see no need for God.

For many people, the trials, disruptions and storms in life, though unpleasant...are the very thing that causes them to cry out to God.

From an eternal perspective, if these hard experiences in this vapor of a life draw us closer to God and life eternal…how could we not call these storms anything but good? Anything that draws you closer to God is good…even if it is difficult.

When Jesus fed the 5,000, Mark said they were hard hearted and did not understand. The feeding of the 5,000 compared to the storm was a pleasant and amazing miracle, but they were hard hearted…they failed to grasp who Jesus is.

But, in the storm...the disciples will come to a place of worship saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” It takes a storm to break through to their hard hearts. And, are we any different?

We complain and moan when trials come in life, but the trial may be just the thing we need to get our eyes off of the world and onto God.

God knows exactly what we need to be prepared for eternity. Trials are an exercise in trust. Will you trust God and cling to Him during the storm?

Matt 14:25 “Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. [Mark says, “and would have passed them by.” Thanks a lot Mark!]

So, after about 9 hours, Jesus went to the disciples, walking on the sea. And, I have some questions:

First, Why did He wait until the fourth watch? He saw them struggling at evening, but He waited to go to them.

Isn’t that a typical question we have for God though? ‘Why are you waiting God? Deliver me now God! Take this pain, this sickness, this problem, this thorn in my flesh.’

And, God always answers our prayers, He says, “Yes…No…or Wait!”

Isa 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

God waits for just the right moment. As the saying goes, “God is never late; He’s seldom early; He’s always right on time.”

God’s timing might not be our timing, and while we think we are waiting on Him...I think He is actually waiting on us…waiting on us to stop being self sufficient, and to come to a place of total reliance on Him…total surrender to Him…and that’s when He shows up.

Sometimes we think, “Well it’s about time God!” And, I’m pretty sure He’s thinking the same about us.

We think God should come earlier, but He knows the exact moment we need Him most. Jesus waited until the disciples were far spent and in the middle of the sea before He came, because that was the moment their hope (in themselves and in their boat) was gone.

Jesus was testing their faith and leading them to a place that they would understand who He is…and this involved stripping their self-sufficiency and the material things they trusted in. They had to realize their strength and skill was not going to save them, nor was their boat going to save. Only Jesus saves.

My second question is, ‘Why did Jesus walk on the water?’

Duh, because they were out on the lake...

I think it’s bigger than that…what was the thing the disciples feared the most in this moment? Capsizing and drowning. The water.

What is Jesus walking on? The water. He’s walking on the thing they feared the most. Whatever fear you have in life…He’s over that too.

His walking on water not only shows His mastery over the disciples greatest fear in this moment, but also His divinity as He defies gravity.

For my last question, I need to go back to Mark 6:48... Mark said, “...He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.”

This is one of those comments that in heaven I plan to corner Mark and ask him... “What on earth did you mean Man!?!” Because scholars have all kinds of theories.

And, looking at the various translations of Mark 6:48 doesn’t help:

NKJV "He...would have passed them by."

NASB "He intended to pass by them.

ESV "He meant to pass by them."

HCSB "He...wanted to pass by them."

NIV "He was about to pass by them..."

It’s as if Jesus really wanted and intended to pass them by…was almost about to …I mean He would have, but didn’t. What is going on here!?!

Some scholars suggest this is similar to an OT theophany or revelation of God, similar to when God’s glory “passed by” Moses in the cleft of the rock (Exo 33:22). Except, Jesus is now fully visible. And, they say it was not that Jesus was going to “by pass” them, but “pass by” them and reassure them.

I don’t get this explanation, because Jesus doesn’t pass by. “Hey guys…I’m going to reveal my divinity to you as I pass by…Just kidding! I’m not going to pass by.”

I also don’t understand how this would reassure the disciples. “Hey guys…saw you toiling. Just wanted to pass by and let you know that I’m God. Good seeing you!”

Other scholars suggest that Mark highlights “not the intention of Jesus but the impression of the disciples as to what was happening.” The disciples thought he would pass by, but He wasn’t going to.

That seems a bit more plausible to me, but…what a baffling statement by Mark.

Matt 14:26-27 “And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled [John says “they were afraid”], saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.” 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I [egō eimi- I AM…the same disclosure to Moses]; do not be afraid.”

In these two verses we observe the response of the disciples as they saw Jesus walking on water. They were fearful…the Gk. suggests they were terrified and panicking.

And, if we were rowing in a storm for 9 hours and were exhausted, thinking we were about to die…and then saw a guy walking on water…tell me you wouldn’t be afraid!

Fear was a very NATURAL response in this moment. But, Jesus immediately encouraged them to a SUPERNATURAL response…“Be of good cheer! [or “Take courage”]…do not be afraid.”

In the Feeding of the 5000...the disciples looked at what little they had (5 loaves and 2 fish), and looked at how many people there were…and saw no solution to the problem. But, the solution was right in front of them…Jesus. They just had to put what little they had into Jesus hands and He would take care of the problem.

And, here...the problem (the storm) is under Jesus’ feet…He has power over the problem. And, as long as eyes are fixed on Him…one need not fear. He is the solution.

Fear and faith cannot dwell in the same heart. Fear blinds our eyes to God’s presence in our lives. Faith gives clarity.

Jesus compelled them to get in the boat and go to the other side, and then He went to pray…presumably, in part, for them. But, the disciples lost sight…and their memory failed them-> Jesus said to go to the other side…not perish in the middle of the sea.

They didn’t remember His words, and they didn’t recognize Him when He came…they thought He was a ghost…because they were not looking for Him, nor waiting in faith. They were panicking in fear. Had they been waiting in faith, fear would not have prevailed.

Isa 43:2a “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you."

You can anticipate and expect Jesus to be with you in the storms of life. "He always lives to make intercession for [us].” Heb 7:25

Matt 14:28-29 “And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” [Bad move for a guy named ‘stone.’] “So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat [it wasn’t a canoe…he had to climb down out of the boat], he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”

Only Matthew records this detail about Peter walking on water. Wild scene.

Of course Peter is the one to speak up and take action…Mr. Ready, Fire, Aim.

Peter is often given a hard time because he ultimately is afraid, doubts and sinks, but Peter does some pretty commendable things that the other disciples did not do.

As soon as Peter recognizes Jesus, he wants to go to Him. And, even as Peter sinks, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” In the midst of the storm of life, we should have Peter’s mindset...we should want to go to Jesus and we should cry out to Jesus.

Peter says, “Lord, if it is You...” which, based on the grammar, could be rendered “Lord, since it is you...” Peter’s faith increases as He sees the Lord.

Peter says, “Lord”… “command me.” Lord means ‘master’ and ‘command me’ is a perfect complement when addressing the Lord. This should be our heart in life. “Lord, command me…my day, my time, my very life is yours…tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it.”

Peter says, “…command me to come to You on the water.” I’m not sure why didn’t he say, “Lord, come get in the boat...”

Instead, Peter tells the Lord to tell him to come out of the boat. In the middle the sea... a boat is safety…it’s life. Peter leaves safety to go to the Lord.

And, sometimes going to Jesus means facing that thing you fear the most and letting go of your safety net. For 8 years I toiled building an insurance business…and, by worldly standards, I did well. But, six months after the Lord called me into ministry, He also stirred my heart to walk away from my career. To get out of the boat…to leave my vessel of safety.

We give Peter a hard time because he sinks, but he is the only one bold enough to get out of the boat. We give Peter a hard time because he denied Jesus 3x, but he walked on water.

There are many commendable things we can say about Peter in this scene. If only more of us were like Peter. Yes he failed, but he also tried. The rest of them just sit in the boat and never got out…in time they would, but none of them could ever say, “Jesus made me walk on water as I went to Him.” Only Peter knew that experience.

Just imagine what that was like…walking on water…walking towards the Lord…time stood still..miraculous peace amidst the chaos of the raging wind and waves. I imagine the storm was just a faded background as Peter’s eyes focused on Jesus. The reality of the impossibility of walking on water became a distant thought, as Peter took steps towards Jesus.

And, that’s what Jesus does in our lives…whatever your circumstance...your situation or hardship…as you focus on and take steps towards Jesus…this is when the miraculous happens.

As you focus on Jesus in the midst of a storm, “...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Php 4:7

So, those are the good things to observe about Peter. Now, let’s take a look at where things go wrong.

Matt 14:30-31 “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous [violent], he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” [one of the shortest and most powerful prayers of the whole Bible]. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Peter was doing so well and then took his eyes off Jesus and that’s when things started going downhill. Peter saw the effects of the wind were violent. A violent wind is very intimidating…loudly whipping past the ears, rain stinging against the face and blinding the eyes. The waves that crashed into the boat tossing it around. Was there thunder? Lightning? We don’t know, but....

...at some point Peter focuses on this violent storm…and keep in mind, he is standing on the water at this point. It all sinks in and he becomes afraid. As fear sets in, faith departs and he begins to sink. Learn from this mistake.

I don’t have a point of reference for “beginning to sink” on water. I only know what it’s like to jump in the water and sink immediately. Peter’s in a unique place here…was this like quicksand? He sinks to his ankles, and then to his knees? What’s this like?

Regardless, he does the right thing…as he is sinking he cries out to Jesus…it’s always the right thing to cry out to Jesus when sinking in life. “Lord, save me!” “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

If your heart is right with God, your prayer will work wonders. And, it doesn’t have to be a long prayer THAT THOU SPEAKEST IN OLD ENGLISH…what matters is the sincerity of the prayer, prayed by one in relationship with the Almighty.

And, as Peter sincerely cries out to Jesus...”…immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him...” Jesus didn’t let him sink. “He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Heb 13:5

Jesus rescues Peter and then speaks to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Some see this as Jesus rebuking Peter...I take this as coaching and encouragement… “Man…you were so close!” Just like a father would encourage their child who was so close to accomplishing their goal, but just missed it.

You’re proud of them, but disappointed that they missed it this time, but confident they will get it eventually.

Peter had faith in Jesus enough to get out of the boat and walk on water, but his faith faltered as he succumbed to fear and doubt which caused him to sink…to just fall just short of conquering the storm.

Thus, Jesus speaks to him about his “little faith” and his “doubt.”

Matt 14:32-33 “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

For some of you, V32 could be your favorite verse in the Bible. “…when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”

It’s nice to know that the wind will cease. The storm will not last forever.

You may recall the last time Jesus was in a boat with the disciples, Matt 8:24-27, “And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” [similar to the words with Peter] Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

That event occurred a year prior, more or less... and left the disciples with a question, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

And, now in Matt 14, in another storm, they find the answer, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

And joined to this confession, we observe, in V33, the first time the disciples “worshiped Him.”

The wise men worshipped Him in Matthew 2.

A leper worshipped Him in Matthew 8.

And, Jairus, a ruler of a synagogue, worshipped Him in Matthew 9.

But, the disciples were never recorded as worshipping Him until now. After 2 years of being with Him, they are finally starting to understand who He is.

I appreciate that the disciples were a little thick, because I was and still am a little thick. I know you all have it all figured out, but pray for me…I’m still a work in progress.

After Jesus gets in the boat, and the storm miraculously ceases, another miracle follows, John 6:21 records, “Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.”

They were in the middle of the sea and now they travelled 3.5 miles instantaneously…time warp. Jesus demonstrated divinity over nature by walking on water, and now demonstrates divinity over distance and time.

The disciples arrived at their destination, but they still had a long way to go in understanding who Jesus is. But, in this storm they come to a place of acknowledging His divinity and worshipping Him…reverencing Him for who He is and what He has done.

Storms are not all bad in life.

There can be “Storms of Correction”…Jonah was in one such storm. But, the disciples were in the midst of God’s will. They obeyed Jesus and got in the boat that led to the storm.

This was a “Storm of Perfection.” This storm lead them to deeper understanding of who Jesus is, and brought them to a place of worship.

I believe this was also a “Storm of Preparation” where they learned deeper faith that would be needed to be His witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” They were learning to let faith and trust triumph over fear and doubt.

Well let’s finish this chapter.

Matt 14:34-36 “When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. [Northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee] 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him [Mark says, “immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region”], they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick [Mark says, they “began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.”] , 36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.”

Matthew threw in a little bonus material here. This is like the bonus scene after the credits of a movie.

Earlier, in Matt 9…somewhere near Capernaum, Jesus healed a woman with an issue of blood for twelve years. She touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was made well. Did that news spread and now more come to touch the hem of His garment?

Regardless, once again, we see a generation of people who just want something from Jesus…they flock to Jesus to get, not to give. They want a healing, they don’t extend worship. And, yet Jesus extends His grace once more making “perfectly well” all He came in contact with. “The Grace of the King.”

I see a stark contrast between this group and the disciples. These people “recognized Him” V35, but there is no notation that they worshipped Him. The disciples had come to a place where they “worshipped Him” acknowledging... “Truly, You are the Son of God.”

In our walk with Jesus…we too must come to a place where we do not just recognize Jesus, but we worship Him as the Christ…as our Savior and God.

Worship Team Come.

I do wonder if the disciples had not been hard hearted, when Jesus fed the 5000, and had come to the realization that Jesus is God and worshipped Him then…would they have ever needed to go through the storm?

God is going to do everything He can do to reach your heart even if it means leading you into a storm. Because He loves you, and that storm will perfect you and prepare you.

We may not always understand what God is doing, but don’t fear... and don’t doubt His love and good motives towards you. Walk in faith with Him this week.