Strolling on the water
This event happens right after the feeding of the five thousand.
The disciples had not really paid attention that this was a miracle - how could they miss that?
What is faith? There are different types Faith to move mountains, saving faith, doctrine, belief, spiritual gift of faith, substance of things hoped for, etc. Are they all the same, or are they really different? When we believe in something, what derives from that belief?
Matthew 14:22-24 - sent ahead - hit storm
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.
Why did Jesus make them go alone out on the lake when it was a stormy night?
Do you ever feel like you are in the storms of life and all alone to fend for yourself?
If you could always see Jesus and He was always holding your hand, would your faith ever grow?
John 11:6-15 - Jesus waited another 2 days before raising Lazarus
6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
Jesus sometimes has something to teach the disciples about Himself.
He taught them about the feeding of the 5000.
He’s teaching them about His power over the wind and waves.
He will teach them about His power over death.
We need these to understand that He does have the power to save us!
Matthew 14:25-27 - Jesus arrives - don’t be afraid
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. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
We like to think we know Jesus but if He appeared to us would we recognize Him?
What would He say to us?
My oldest daughter growing up was so brave and would stand in front of me so bravely.
If I ever backed up and she could sense I wasn’t there, she immediately would run back to me.
My youngest daughter spent a lot of time hiding behind my leg and was always very shy.
How are you spiritually? Are you brave? Are you shy? Do you run back to Jesus in the storm?
John 20:24-29 - Not seen and yet believed
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus said to Thomas in another story, more blessed it is for those who do not see yet believe.
Faith takes more than just seeing to believe but our faith brings us to realize He can do anything and we don’t have to see Him do everything to believe that He can do everything. We learn that He can do everything from just seeing a few things He did.
Matthew 14:28-32 - Peter walks on the water
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. 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?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Have you ever imagined being able to stroll on the water? Many people have!
Why could Peter do it when you can’t? Jesus commanded that He come. Jesus gave Peter the authority to come on the water. You can have all of the faith in the world but without Jesus you can do nothing. He gives us faith.
Matthew 17 - faith as small as a mustard seed
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Peter had a fright but why would he say to command me to come and jump out of the boat if he didn’t believe it was Jesus?
Peter showed incredible faith by getting out of the boat and walking on the water.
Similarly, Peter showed his quick lack of faith when he saw the wind and began to sink.
Are you like that? One moment you are a mighty christian and in the next, a scared little baby.
Matthew 8:23-27- even the winds and waves obey Him
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Why is it that sometimes they get it other times they don’t? Their hearts were hardened
Mark 6:51,52 - they had not understood about the loaves
51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
So this miracle, was after the feeding of the five thousand.
They had not understood yet about the loaves.
They were looking for a king, not realizing He was the almighty God who could do anything.
Matthew 14:33-36 - Others worship and are healed
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
When they saw Jesus and His power they worshipped Him.
Being saved takes faith
To be saved, you need a similar faith like Peter.
You must believe that Jesus is God because only God can save, men are not able to save.
You must believe that Jesus can save you.
You must go an extra step and take the leap of faith to make it personal and really believe.
If I asked all those who are saved to raise your hand, probably most everyone would.
If I singled you out and asked you to give your salvation story what would you say?
Would you say you’re a good person or your daddy was a preacher - that doesn’t matter.
Only Jesus can save. You have to have faith - you personally - in Jesus to be saved.
On the other shore notice how much faith the people of the town had.
They brought all their sick to just touch Jesus’ cloak - and they were healed when they touched it.
Do you similarly have that kind of faith in Jesus? Can you come to him like a little child with easy faith, or are you too jaded, or do you believe too much in science, or medicine, or money?
I’m not saying don’t use medicine, Jesus provided you that, but ultimately, it is guaranteed death and taxes. At some point there will be an afterlife and how you prepared here will show how you will do there. Are you saved? You better be! Are you studying your Bible? It will benefit you there! Are you living a Godly life? Are you showing love to one another? All of these things are manifest by your faith in what you believe. If you believe, then you will do what the Bible tells you to do. If you don’t then you will live worldly and then regret it. Don’t be a regretter, be a world overcomer by trusting in Jesus for your salvation and trusting Him to get you through the storms of life. He’s right there.
1 John 4:4 - great is He who is in you than who is in the world
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Matthew 7:24-27 - the wise man built his house upon the rock
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Do you believe God can do anything?
Do you believe He can save you?
Are you willing to put your life into His hands?
Are you ready to commit to the Lord and follow His ways?
