"Lord, Save Me" Matthew 14.22-33
Introduction
Brian Simo is a race car driver, and most of you have probably never heard of him. However there is one thing about him with which you are probably familiar. In 1985 he created the “No Fear” clothing line and found an idea that appealed to many Americans. We have a lot of respect for bravery and for those who are willing to take challenging risks. But when does “No Fear” really mean “Darn Fool”? Last week a woman fell to her death on a very steep day hike at Yosemite National Park. The hike does not require any special expertise, but it is challenging, and it should never be attempted if there is any chance of rain. The granite dome becomes very slick and dangerous in rainy weather. Still many hikers attempt the climb ill-prepared, over confident of their skills and of the weather conditions.
Today’s Gospel lesson teaches us that “No Fear” is not just a decal or a T-shirt. It is not just a spirited hope of getting lucky. It is not at all about taking foolish risks. The real “No Fear” lifestyle is found in those, who like the Apostle Peter would say to Jesus, “Lord, Save me!”
Jesus Prayed
We start by noticing Jesus’ focus on prayer. He wanted to be by Himself to pray. Jesus prayed often and for significant lengths of time. Why did Jesus pray? Jesus prayed because although He is completely and fully the Son of God, He is also completely and fully a human being. This is the mystery of the Two Natures in Christ. Jesus’ prayer life is one of the ways He faithfully obeyed God’s Law for us. His prayer life is not just an example for us to follow, it is the edge of an axe that splits the chains of the Law that condemn us because of our failure to keep it.
Trouble
We also notice that Jesus sends His disciples on in the boat knowing that they would run into trouble. Trouble is everywhere in this world. God knows that, and His promises to us are not that we will be exempt from trouble but that we will survive it and thrive in spite of it. Some of you remember Pastor Sam Boda. Pastor Boda had small banana grove in his backyard. Bananas will grow in our hot and humid summers. But the season isn’t long enough for them to produce fruit. Some people tried to overcome this by starting their banana trees in a green house earlier in the spring. But, according to Pastor Boda, banana leaves, in particular, have to be exposed to the wind as they are growing. If they grow in a quiet greenhouse, and are then put outside, those big beautiful leaves will be shredded by the first summer windstorm. So too, we are exposed to troubles of all kinds as Christians just like anyone else. But God uses those troubles mixed with faith to strengthen us. Job said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (ESV Job 23.10). (See additional passages at the end of the sermon.)
A Fantastic Miracle
Now Jesus comes out to the disciples walking on the water. This is a fantastic sight. Matthew actually uses the word phantasma, which is often translated “ghost.” Peter, the leader of the twelve, rises to the rescue. Is this an ancient form of “No Fear”? Peter faces two challenges. The first is to determine whether this is Jesus or a ghost. “If it is You... command me to come...” Peter is commanded, and incredibly he also steps out onto the water. But the ordeal is not over yet. Peter comes close to Jesus, but even at this safe place is frightened by the strong wind, begins to doubt and to sink. It is then that Peter leaves behind the “No Fear” attitude and simply cries out to Jesus, “Lord, Save me.” “Immediately” Jesus reaches out to grab hold of his arm and saves him.
Truly the Son of God
Jesus then urges the disciples not to be afraid but instead to have faith. They respond by worshiping Him as the Son of God. Now this last part is most important. Matthew chapters 11 to 16 form a unit in which Jesus repeated demonstrates that He is the Son of God. Notice that I said Jesus “demonstrates.” Doubters and skeptics love to point out that Jesus Himself rarely “said” He was the Son of God. But this is complete foolishness and self-inflicted ignorance. Jesus showed Himself to be the Son of God by walking on the water and stilling the storm. Who defies the Laws of Nature unless He is the Lord of Nature? Jesus also accepts the worship of the disciples.
What Is Your Fear?
What kind of fear have you been dealing with? Is it the fear of the unknown... what will happen with the economy, my job, my retirement? Is it the fear of change... your freshman year in high school, college or the start of a new job? Is it the fear of rough relationships. Are you being bullied in a bad divorce or pressured to endure a bad marriage? Are you worried about spiritually wayward children? Have you been hurt by former friends who now disregard you? Are you worried about what lies ahead with your health? Perhaps it is the most basic fear of all: The fear of God’s judgment, the fear of trying to hide our sins from God? This world is full of the strong and fearful winds of trouble. Even those who stand side by side with Jesus will end up like Peter sinking in fear.
If this miracle of Jesus walking on the water teaches us anything, it teaches us that all human beings have their moments when fear will overwhelm us. All of us are weak by nature. What we should not do is to try to rely only on ourselves to overcome the troubles of this world. Yes, get a good education; choose your friends wisely; live within your budget; live a healthy lifestyle. Yes to all those things. But more than that… Much more than that… Stay close to Jesus and cry out to Him, “Lord, Save me.”
Three Words
Three words… Three little words that make all the difference. Let’s examine them closely. First of all, “Lord.” This is not the “lord” of your imagination. This is not some vague higher power. This is not Muhammed’s rule giving Allah, Buddha’s Supreme Being, or even the modern politically correct Jesus, who constantly apologizes for things he said and did that are no longer culturally acceptable. The world screams “All gods are the same.” Look carefully at the gods of this world before you seek their help. They are not Saviors. They are idols that represent the people who make them. They are the gods that people want… Gods who will reward them for their own goodness in the end. But Scripture says, “I, I am the LORD, and besides Me there is no Savior” (Isaiah 43.11). Jesus is truly that Savior, the Son of God, who came down from heaven and gave His life for ours. His blood, and His blood alone wipes away the guilt of our sin and makes us God’s people.
This lead right to the word “save.” “Save” does not mean that we merely receive some help from God. It does not mean that there is a spark of goodness or a kernel of courage. It means that we are helpless and, as the Bible says, we need to be saved” (Isaiah 64.5).
Finally there is that little word “me.” “Lord, Save me.” You have been taught, and rightly so, that the world does not revolve around you. We should not be selfish and self-centered. This is in all our earthly or horizontal relationships. But when it comes to our one vertical relationship – the relationship with God, the situation is exactly opposite. From God’s point of view you are His highest priority. Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus stressed how much He loves us. When His friend Lazarus died the Jewish people said, “See how He loved him” (John 11.33). Jesus regularly took time to meet one to one with individual people. Their names will be remembered forever: Nicodemus, Zacchaues, Mary Magdalene. Jesus said that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without God caring about it. “Do not fear therefore. You are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10.31). Your salvation is God’s highest priority! The evidence is in the very Gospel itself: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4.9-10).
Conclusion
Today we will conclude our service with a very popular Christian hymn: “Jesus, Loves Me.” This hymn was originally a poem that was included in a novel. The poem was spoken to a dying child to bring them comfort. A musician later added the music, and since 1860 it has become one of the most well-known Christian hymns today:
“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.” That hymn has brought comfort to many fearful Christians over the years. Why? Because it captures the important truth that Jesus does love us, is our Savoir and therefore we can always and at anytime say with Peter, “Lord, Save me.” Amen.
Additional Bible Passages That Teach Us About God’s Grace in Suffering
NKJ James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
KJV Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
KJV Hebrews 12:6-9 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
NKJ Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
NKJ Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
ESV Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
NKJ 1 Peter 1:6-9 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith -- the salvation of your souls.
NKJ 2 Corinthians 5:1-3 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
NKJ Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls -- 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
NKJ John 16:22 "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
