Take Heart (Matthew 14:22-36)

Are you ready for your next trial? 2020 has been a year to remember. If we weren't ready for trials, this year has shown us all that truth. I have talked to many of you who are going through trials beyond the pandemic and the hurricane. This has certainly been a rough year. But I heard someone say, "2020 has been fun to watch, I can't wait for the season finale." Can you imagine what the rest of this year might hold for us? Are we ready for whatever trial may come? Jesus wants us to be. In the text we are going to study from Matthew 14:22-36, we learn how to face trials.

Jesus has just fed well over five thousand people in a desolate place. This miracle relates Jesus to Elisha and reveals that he is a compassionate Messiah. But immediately after the people eat, Jesus again acts in a way that makes little sense.

Escaping For Prayer

Matthew 14:22--23 (ESV) --- 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

Jesus sends his disciples away in a boat without him. Then, he sends the crowds away so that he can go up on a mountain by himself to pray alone. This is one of the few times that we see Jesus completely alone. He sought out a peaceful place so that he could devote his attention to God in prayer. This explains why Jesus was seeking a desolate place for himself and his disciples. He wanted to go to God in prayer. Jesus needed to speak to God about the things that were going on in his life. Do we find that odd? Why would Jesus need to go to God in prayer?

Jesus is dealing with thoughts and feelings that are common to mankind. Imagine what it would be like to have so many people doubt you even though you worked miracles right in front of them. The religious leaders hated Jesus. Have you ever been hated by anyone? Jesus had to deal with the weight of people he grew up with rejecting him. I imagine that there would be a flood of emotions connected to John's murder. John is not just Jesus' cousin and friend. He is a man who was more righteous than anyone, and Herod put him to death for telling the truth. This is a reminder to Jesus of his future. Then, five thousand men show up. That would be more than enough for Jesus to dominate Herod and the entire world if God wanted to do that. Is Jesus overcoming the temptation to attack and destroy the wicked before God's time? Who knows the ideas going through Jesus' head as he climbs up that mountain to pray to God. But there he is, all alone. He spends most of the night in prayer.

Struggling Against The Sea (24-27)

Meanwhile, look at what is happening with his disciples.

Matthew 14:24--27 (ESV) --- 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 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. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Jesus struggles with God in prayer, and his disciples struggle with the wind and sea in their boat. It says that the waves beat them. They haven't gotten any sleep as they work hard against the sea. I imagine that they are dead tired after getting no rest and fighting against the sea for hours. They are doing everything they can to make it over to the other side, but for some reason, the winds and the sea are against them. Other gospels tell us that this was a significant storm. They have been working very hard to try to make it over to the other side, as they were commanded.

I wonder what was going on in their minds. Were they upset because Jesus had sent them away? Were they wondering when they would see him again? I imagine that they were tired of fighting the storm. Maybe they were in a real struggle, thinking, "We are not going to make it to the other side of this sea." I bet they wish Jesus were on the boat so he could calm the wind. We just felt some hurricane-force winds, or we at least heard them from inside our houses. Can you imagine feeling those winds while sitting in a little fishing boat? That would not be fun.

Then, they see someone out on the water, but he is not swimming. How terrifying would it be to see someone out walking on water in the moonlight? They believe it is a ghost, but Jesus calls out with words of comfort. He says, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." These words would let the men know that everything is going to be alright. We can imagine their relief. Maybe the storm died down a little bit at this point, and everyone relaxed. Jesus can calm the storm and they can get some rest.

Peter's Faith (28-31)

Then, Peter says something interesting.

Matthew 14:28--31 (ESV) --- 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

We might laugh at this story if we know Peter. He is always the bold one. Why would Peter want to leave the safety of the boat? Peter has been a fisherman for many years. He knows better than to leave the boat. Some have thought that Peter was a show-off. Others claim that he was just foolish. But I think Peter wanted to leave the boat because he wanted to embrace Jesus. I believe that there was so much longing for Jesus inside Peter that his sight gave a burst of emotions. Peter couldn't help it. He wanted to embrace Jesus because he missed him, and he needed him.

As he leaves the boat and comes to Jesus, the winds start to pick up again. We could imagine the difficulty of walking on waves and maintaining our balance. The reality of his situation strikes Peter, and he begins to sink. After all, who can walk on water? Also, who in their right mind would try to walk on water in the middle of a storm? Don't you imagine that Peter feels like he has made a foolish mistake? But he cries out, "Lord, save me!" And Jesus does save him. But Jesus says some shocking words to Peter, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Why would Jesus say that? Peter showed tremendous faith as he got out of the boat and went to meet Jesus. He believed that he could walk on water if Jesus said so. But when the storm picked up again, he doubted. For a split second, he started to think that he would die, and it terrified him. It was so brief, but Jesus' evaluation is that he has little faith. Isn't that amazing? How many of us would have gotten out of the boat to begin with?

Worship (32-33)

Matthew 14:32--33 (ESV) --- 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Peter and Jesus walk on water back to the boat, and as soon as they get in, the winds die down. Then everyone falls and worships Jesus saying, "Truly you are the Son of God!" Now everywhere else in the Bible, men are commanded not to worship anyone but God. They aren't supposed to fall before men, images of men, golden calves, or angels. These men fall down to worship Jesus. Notice that he does not rebuke them. What they say is true. They realize that this is not just a man like David. This is the Son of God.

Up until this point, Jesus has only been called Son of God by demons. Magi from the east have worshipped him. A leper and a synagogue ruler have knelt before him. Now, his disciples are finally starting to realize who Jesus is. Jesus has saved them from the perils of a never-ending storm by walking through it to their rescue. He is worthy of their praise and adoration.

Back To Work (34-36)

Matthew 14:34--36 (ESV) --- 34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

After they cross over to the other side, the people there recognize him, and Jesus picks right up where he left off. Apparently, word has spread in that area that touching the edge of his garment will save them. So everyone wants to get close to Jesus so that they can be healed. Jesus heals every last one of them.

What Do We See?

In this text, we have seen Jesus send everyone away and go up on a mountain to pray. Then, he walks on water, calms the storm, and brings the disciples to the other side. On the other hand, the disciples were sent away, struggled with the sea, and have to be saved by Jesus. Then, they fall down and worship him.

What is the point of all of this? If I were a disciple of Jesus looking back on this event, what would I think about all of this? Jesus is developing the disciple's faith. He lets them struggle while he draws nearer to God in prayer. They were in that lake for hours doing everything they could to make it to the other side without capsizing.

Then, Jesus shows up, and they are so discouraged that they think he is a ghost. They are terrified. Do we see how helpless the disciples are? They try and try to accomplish something for themselves, but they can't. Jesus calls out to them with words of comfort and encouragement. He has not left them or forsaken them. The trial is almost over. They don't have to be afraid anymore.

Peter's zealous attempt to meet Jesus adds a third layer to this. At first, we see man's inability, then we see man's fear, and with Peter, we see man's doubt. Let's consider how these three things apply to us.

Application

Man's Struggle

Consider the work we do in obedience to God. How many of us are fighting a battle that resembles the disciples on the sea? They have spent hours trying to get their ship to go to the other side where Jesus has commanded them to go, but it just won't work. They are beaten, worn out, and wondering when the struggle will ever end. I imagine we are struggling to understand what Jesus is doing. Why is life so hard?

That storm could be a sinful desire that just won't go away, a relationship that keeps beating us up for our beliefs, or maybe you can fill in the blank with some other painful trial that makes life difficult. We do all that we can to work it out ourselves, but we are so tired, and we can't get there. Notice the contrast to Jesus. Jesus had a trial he was working through. He had feelings and concerns like all of us, but he went up on a mountain alone to pray about it. Then, we see him walk on the stormy sea and calm the storm. He has no problem making it across because he knows God is with him. He has so much composure that he can even help others make it across. Is that me? Have I laid my concerns at the feet of God's throne? Am I walking calmly through the storm with the understanding that God is with me?

Man's Fear

The disciples were afraid. They saw Jesus doing something that no one has ever done before, so they assumed he was a ghost. Is the good news about Jesus terrifying to you? I knew a man in West Palm who thought studying the Bible would only reveal how lost he is. He was fighting a constant battle against sin, and he was in a toxic relationship. The thought of Jesus scared him. He saw Jesus during his struggle, but he refused to hear these words, "Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid."

Jesus has not come to destroy them for their failure. He has come to help them succeed! He encourages them and wants to help them make it safely to the goal. If anyone here is afraid to let Jesus in and commit your life to him, pay close attention to these words! The only thing Jesus wants to do is to help you. Rejecting him is adding to your suffering. We need his help to overcome whatever trial we are facing.

Man's Doubt

Then, we see Peter committing his life to Jesus as he steps out of the boat and walks toward him. He loves Jesus, and he is so happy to see him that he wants to embrace him. But the trials don't go away. He has left the safety of his boat and exposed himself to even greater trials. What Peter does resembles what all of his disciples must do. Becoming a Christian means leaving the false security of our abilities with love for Jesus. We have to rely on him to keep us afloat. Have you done that? What happens when Peter takes his eyes away from Jesus? He immediately starts sinking, and he has to call out to Jesus for help.

We have looked at this concept many times over the last year. Our salvation is dependent on holding fast to the truth about Jesus. If you have been sinking because trials have caused you to doubt God is with you, fix your eyes on Jesus, and live. Jesus shows us that God is full of love and compassion. Notice how long it took Jesus to save Peter. The text says Jesus reached out immediately. He doesn't take his time or let Peter drown. He helps them up and walks alongside him to safety. Then, he calms the storm.

As soon as we come out of the waters of baptism, Satan begins to throw trials and temptations at us. We might look at our weakness or the severity of the trial and doubt that Jesus still cares. This tells us that he does. We have no reason to doubt him. This reminds me of Psalm 73. In this Psalm, the great Psalmist, Asaph, nearly fell because of doubt.

Psalm 73:2--5 (ESV) --- 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. 5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.

He starts to think that he has wasted his life pursuing God instead of pursuing a life of comfort and self-satisfaction. But in verse 17, he says that his faltering faith was restored as he entered the sanctuary and considered the end of those who abandon God. The final words of this Psalm are such an encouraging note to end on.

Psalm 73:23--28 (ESV) --- 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Conclusion

This text in Matthew shows us that even though God lets us struggle, he wants our faith to develop and grow to the point where we worship God with our lives. First, we have to give up on our own abilities, embrace Jesus instead of fearing him, and overcome the doubt that we might feel. This is why Paul says what he does in Romans 5.

Romans 5:2--5 (ESV) --- 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Our suffering brings us to greater endurance and greater faith because we learn that God is always with us and he loves us more than we will ever deserve. Let us worship him with our lives.