In The Middle

Opening Story

In the middle.

Text

Matthew 14:22–33 NKJV

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 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. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, 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; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 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.”

Matthew 14:22 NKJV

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

“Immediately” shows urgency. Matthew doesn’t tell us why there is such urgency but when you read John’s account we see that, by force, make Jesus king.

Jesus will not be made king by the will of the people, He is king by the will of God.

Matthew 14:23–24 NKJV

23 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. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Scripture does not clarify which mountain and that is okay, because that is not the point.

We must learn from Christ that we spend time alone with our Heavenly Father, even when not in times of crisis.

The Sea of Galilee is 8 miles at its widest point.

“tossed by the waves” is literally translates tormented which is the same word used for demonic torment.

Scripture doesn’t say this but I can picture Jesus looking down from the mountain and seeing his disciples in trouble, just like He did when He came down from Heaven and will do again.

Matthew 14:25 NKJV

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.

This would have been between 3 and 6 am.

The fourth watch would be the darkest and most difficult time of the night. Just before a new dawn.

I believe we may be in the fourth watch in our world today. Jesus before Christ returns for a new dawn.

Matthew 14:26 NKJV

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

story of office needed to be cleaned “out”

Matthew 14:27 NKJV

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Jesus tells them not to fear just like the angels had to when they appeared to someone.