WALK ON THE WET SIDE

 

Matthew 14:22-33

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

 

1.       Jesus had just finished ministering to the people and He sent His disciples in a boat to the other side of the lake.  He then dismissed the crowd.  The first thing we know is that Jesus already knew what he was going to do because he sent his disciples ahead without him in the boat.  They probably thought he was going to walk around the lake to the other side. 

2.      Jesus dismisses the crowd and goes up on a mountainside to pray.  In this case Jesus was praying to refire, focus, hear from His Father to get instructions and guidance.  Jesus was a man of prayer, and He knew how essential it was to successful ministry. 

3.      Jesus spent an extensive time alone with His Father.  Prayer was not just communication but communion.  We speak to God and God speaks to us.  Prayer is highest and greatest award we can be given.

4.      Prayer is that component in our life that enables us like Jesus to demonstrate profound love for the sinful world and to show grace and compassion when faced with scorn, cruelty, and hatred.

5.      If you are going to make it through and a difference you must be a person of the Bible and prayer.

 

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

 

1.       What staging here comes Jesus’ walking on the water.  He has been in prayer all night.  Just before dawn He is walking on the lake as if it were dry ground.  Matthew puts that into his account because it is in the Jewish mindset it that period between darkness and light.  Jesus is the mediator between the darkness of the world and the lightness of the Kingdom of God

2.      This is one of the times they see that Jesus is not an ordinary individual.  They get a glimpse of who He really is as we do.  Up to this point they had seen Him do miracles, but this incident shows them they belief that He is the Messiah is confirmed. 

3.      When they saw Him, they assumed He was a ghost?  They cried out in fear.  There are always four reactions to the supernatural, fear, flight confusion, and amazement.  Theirs was fear. 

 

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  29 “Come,” he said.

 

1.      Jesus immediately deals with their fear.  Take courage, do not be afraid.  Remember in the Bible there are in one form another there is a promise of not being afraid.  Jesus immediately shows love and His power and with the calmness of his voice casts out all the fear they had.

2.      Then Peter not only has his fear calmed and then says, Lord, if its you, tell me to come to you on the water.  Jesus then says, “Come.”  Jesus then meets Peter at his declaration of faith.  Jesus tells him to come.  God will always respond to faith.  Peter was about to walk in the realm of the supernatural.  That was supernatural in a moment for Peter would become natural. 

 

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?

1.      Peter gets out of the boat and walks towards Jesus.  He then looks at the wind and waves and begins sinking.  Important lesson is to do the supernatural we have to keep our eyes on the Lord

2.      When he starts sinking, he cries out to the Lord it is a good response.  When you are in trouble cry out to the Lord.  I commend Peter for this because at least he was willing to try, to step out.  Most people would even try.  You never know what you do until you try. 

3.      Jesus takes his hand and then says, you of little faith, why did you doubt.  Jesus then reveals the three things that destroy faith.  Doubt, fear and not keeping our eyes on the Lord.  Remember Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.  Jesus asks Peter why did you doubt?  Only when we truly believe and not doubt that which is supernatural can be translated into the natural.  Jesus knew what could happen and, in a moment, so did Peter until his fear, doubt and taking his eyes off Jesus took over.

 

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 

1.      When Jesus and Peter got into the boat the wind died down.  Those who were in the boat did two things.  The worshipped Him.  In that moment they knew Jesus was no ordinary person and they knew He was the Messiah.  They had just seen infallible proof Jesus was God. 

2.      Never criticize someone who took a step of faith like Peter the reality is that the others in the boat stayed in the boat. 

3.      They stated, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  It was their declaration of faith.  The most outgrowth of an encounter with God is worship. 

 

Conclusion

 

1.      Prayer is an essential element in the life of any Christian.  It is the link between the natural and supernatural.  Through prayer anything is possible and when combined with the word God will hear and answer.

2.      When the storms of life, the wind and waves blow never let fear, doubt, confusion, cares, or riches take away the promises of God. 

3.      When you take a step of faith or a risk like Peter, keep your eyes on Jesus and don’t let doubt, outside elements or fear distract you. 

4.      Jesus did rebuke Peter for his lack of faith and doubt, but he still escorted him back to the boat.  God may correct, redirect, or discipline you but that does not stop his love and help.  Jesus is God and worship of worship.