In the Midst of the Storm (Matthew 14:22-33)

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 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. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

BACKGROUND

Jesus had just finished feeding the 5,000, a miracle that surely must have blown the disciples minds. I wonder how many of the crowd was even aware that a miracle had taken place. But the disciples saw it all, they knew they had not brought enough to feed 5,000 men plus the women and children. How quickly they forget, as they are caught in the midst of a storm while crossing the lake and encounter Jesus walking towards them on the water.


COMMENT

Jesus sent His disciples on ahead while He dismissed the crowds after feeding the 5,000. He then went into the mountains by Himself to pray. I would love to know what was said during those prayer times. The disciples, meanwhile, are struggling to get across the lake due to a storm. It must have been a bad one, because they were terrified, and many of these men were experienced sailors. And Jesus let them suffer the storm for a while, until He decides to meet up with them by walking across the lake in the storm. When they see him, their first thought is, it's a ghost! They even cry out loud in their panic and fear. But Jesus speaks to them, telling them who He is.

Peter responds with a test. If it is you, tell me to come out to you on the water. Jesus says "Come," and Peter WALKS ON THE WATER. But even this is not enough to overcome the fears that take place, perhaps because in getting out of the boat, Peter expected the storm to calm down. So he yells out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus takes hold of him. But according to the text, the storm did not die down until they got in the boat. Then they worshiped Him.

In today's climate of fear, let me make a few observations. 1) Jesus allowed the disciples to go on the boat and head into a storm. How much did He know about what would happen? Scripture does not say, but I believe Jesus knew they would face a storm. 2) Fear is not an unforgivable sin. As a matter of fact, fear is a God-given emotion. Fear keeps up safe at times. 3) On first sight, they did not see Jesus in the storm. In fact, they thought He was a ghost. But Jesus was there in the storm, and they were not out of His hands at any time. 4) When Jesus reveals Himself to them, His words are "Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid." So He reveals Himself to them in a personal way, and this helps them deal with the fear. 5) Peter tests Him. I do not think this is uncommon. We want real evidence. We want to know that Jesus can and will help. 6) Peter stepped out on faith, but again became overwhelmed when things did not go as he had hoped. 7) Peter calls out for help. A position of humility, perhaps a forced one, but he does not try to get back in the boat or ask for a rope. He looks to Jesus alone, and Jesus alone can save him. 8) Jesus takes hold of him. It does not say the storm is over yet, just that Jesus took hold of him. 9) Jesus confronts him. "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 10) Jesus saves them. Once in the boat, then the storm calms down. 11) They worship Him.

Is this a picture of the salvation process? I believe it is, at least for some. Look at each step. Jesus allows us in the storm, we fear, we are overwhelmed by what is going on around us, Jesus reveals Himself, we might test Him, He draws closer to us, saves us, the storm clams down. Trust in Him. Without that trust, we cannot know His peace.