Take Courage (Be of Good Cheer), It is I!

Matthew 14:22–33 ESV

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

The Multitude

Matthew 4:25 ESV

And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 5:1 ESV

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

Matthew 8:1 ESV

When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.

Matthew 8:18 ESV

Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.

Matthew 9:8 ESV

When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Matthew 9:36 ESV

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 12:15 ESV

Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all

Matthew 13:2 ESV

And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.

Solitude

Matthew 13:36 ESV

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.”

Matthew 14:13 ESV

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

Fortitude

Gratitude

Matthew 14:33 ESV

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”