Jesus Walks on the Sea

January 22, 2023 in Today's Worship by TGV

Matthew 14: Worship Guide/ 40-BSG-14A, (Matthew 14:22-33)/ Theme: Jesus walks on the Sea/ Hymn: Master, the tempest is raging! [Author: Mary Ann Baker]


Exploration: Jesus Christ’s power over Nature – (Mt 8:26-27; Mk 4:39-41; Lk 8:24-25; Mt 14:25; Mk 6:48; Jn 6:19; Mt 21:19; Mk 11:14; Mk 11:21)

“About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:25–27, NLT)

Struggling for their survival, the disciples looked out on the stormy sea and caught a sigh of someone walking on water. This was not in their realm of understanding. This was the last thing they expected to see! Never before had anyone walked on water. The principle of gravity itself contradicts this possibility. Humans are so big that “the force of gravity” overcomes the so-called “surface tension” of water, making them sink. Even those who can swim, in case of an emergency, cannot swim indefinitely; at some point, they will need help (a rescue plan), or else they will eventually drown.

The disciples had never seen Jesus walk on water before. Natural reasoning told them this could not be the actual person of Jesus! So how could this be? It is called Christ’s Omnipotence! Dr. Constable points out that “God had ordained that man rule over the sea before the Fall (Gen. 1:28). Here Jesus was doing precisely that; He was fulfilling God’s purpose for humankind. This action gave testimony to His being the Second Adam (cf. Rom 8:27; Rom 5:12–17), the man who succeeded where Adam had failed.”

John 6:19 adds that Jesus was “drawing near to the boat, and they were frightened.” It was a popular belief that spirits of the night brought disaster, which may explain why “they cried out” – conveying a shriek of terror! They looked with “natural eyes,” not eyes of faith, and instead of seeing the God-Man, they “saw” a Ghost-Mirage!

Devotional Implication: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Mt. 14:27). “Jesus called out to the disciples over the storm, telling them to take heart. He identified himself and told them not to be afraid any longer. The literal reading for “It is I” is “I am” (Greek, ego eimi); it is the same as saying “the I AM is here” or “I, Yahweh, am here” (see Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 41:4; 43:10; 52:6). Jesus, the “I AM,” came with unexpected help and encouragement during the disciples’ time of desperate need. Their need was real; their fear was real. But in the presence of Jesus, fear can be dismissed.” – [Bruce B. Barton, Matthew, Life Application Bible Commentary, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 295].

Beloved, fear is unwarranted where Jesus is present. From the beginning to the end of our lives, He is present. His Name at His birth (Mt 1:23) was Immanuel, “God with us.” His promise before He left to ascend to His Father was, “Lo, I am (present tense) with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20). Beloved, do you believe Jesus’ words? I do! When the winds of this life toss us up and down, let us fix our eyes unto Christ Jesus and take hold of the promises of His presence and power. Amen.

The Gospel’s Voice: My son, in this life, you’ll experience many stormy winds: pain, illness, tribulations, and threatening and frightening situations, but remember, no storm is too severe for Me to save you from it. You will never find yourself where I cannot see you. If you repent your sins, obey, and trust Me, I will move and act on your behalf. But even if I don’t (cf. Dan 3:16, 17, 18), I desire that you remain faithful to Me. Would you?

My Desire: 1. Not turning back (backsliding) when storms of life arise (cf. Mt. 13:5, 21) but fix my eyes on Jesus; 2. Believe that God can take the trials of life and make opportunities out of them; 3. “Count it all joy when I fall into various trials” (Jam. 1:2), knowing that through them, I grow in the life of faith.

Today’s Promise: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:15, NKJV)

 

 

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