Walking on Water
Matthew 14:22-33
August 25, 2024
BIBLE READING
Matthew 14:22-33
“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever walked on water?
Imagine you’re on a boat in the middle of a big lake. Suddenly, a storm hits. The wind howls, the waves crash, and you’re scared.
Out of nowhere, you see someone walking towards you on the water. It’s Jesus, and He’s coming to help you. This is exactly what happened to the disciples one stormy night.
The story of Jesus walking on water is more than a miracle. This is a lesson about faith. The disciples were caught in a storm, they were scared and uncertain. But Jesus came to them, walking on the water, showing them—and us—that He is always with us, even in the middle of life’s storms.
Today, we will explore what this passage teaches us about how to deal with the storms of life.
JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH US IN THE STORM
We had a dog, a Labrador called Cisco. Cisco was part of the family.
Whenever there was a thunderstorm, Cisco would run to us. We would hold him, wrap him in a blanket and gradually his trembling would subside. He was safe, with us. The storm would still be there, but he was no longer afraid because he knows he’s not alone.
Just like Cisco, we can feel safe in the middle of life’s storms because Jesus is with us. Even when the wind is strong and the waves are high, Jesus is right there, ready to help us.
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Psalm 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 139:7-12
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.”
Whatever our situation, God is with us!
So no matter what is going on, whatever our personal trial at this moment, God knows and God is with us in that trial. We have assurance that he will help us to walk on the water, he will help us get to our destination. Just like he did for Peter.
Jesus is in the storm with us.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS, NOT ON THE STORM
Think of a tightrope walker, balancing high above the ground. Below is nothing but air, and one misstep could mean a fall. If he looks down, he could fall. The tightrope walker keeps moving forward, focusing on the goal ahead, not the fear below.
Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water towards Jesus. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, he began to sink. This teaches us to keep our focus on Jesus, not on the problems around us.
This is not easy to do, though.
It is not easy to discipline our thoughts.
Deuteronomy 20:3
“And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them”
Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
With our eyes on Jesus, we can make it through the storm.
IT TAKES FAITH TO WALK ON THE WATER
Faith is trusting that something promised, is happening, even when we do not yet see it.
Like when we walk along a mountain path in the fog. We can see the path at our feet, but we cannot see ahead of us. We take each step in faith, believing God will direct our steps. We pray in faith, believing that God will answer.
This is the faith required to walk on the water. Knowing that God will hear and answer, and respond.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Matthew 8:26
“But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Mark 11:22-24
“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Faith is important. If we want to dominate our circumstances, we need faith in Jesus.
TRUSTING JESUS GIVES US PEACE IN THE STORM
TRUSTING JESUS GIVES US PEACE IN THE STORM
When Jesus got into the boat, the wind stopped, and there was peace.
Trusting Jesus brings peace, even in the middle of life’s biggest storms.
We might not be able to calm the storm ourselves, but Jesus can.
And with him beside us, we are safe.
Matthew 14:32
"And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased."
Philippians 4:6-7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Whatever our situation, Jesus is always with us. Even in the middle of the storm. We keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the problems around us. It takes faith in Jesus to walk on the water. Whatever our storm may be. Trusting Jesus brings peace, no matter how scary the situation.
Remember Cisco? Cisco found peace in the storm, by being with us.
In the same way, we experience peace when we trust Jesus. No matter how strong the storm, Jesus is with us. Let’s keep our eyes on Him and trust that He will bring us peace, no matter what we face.
PRAYER
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being our example of the Christian life. We know this life is temporary, but life with you is eternal. Help us please to keep our eyes fixed on you, the author and finisher of our faith. Thank you that you are faithful, no matter what our circumstances may be. And that you answer our prayers.
In Jesus name. Amen.”