22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
26 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.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Setting the Scene for Matthew 14:22-33
As the sun began to set over the Sea of Galilee, the disciples found themselves in a small fishing boat, gently rocking on the calm waters. Jesus had just finished feeding the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish, and he needed some time alone to pray. He instructed his disciples to go on ahead of him to the other side of the sea while he dismissed the crowds.
The disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, obediently set sail, their tired bodies and minds still reeling from the miraculous feeding they had just witnessed. However, as they rowed further from the shore, a strong wind began to whip up the waves, causing their boat to be tossed about. Fear crept into their hearts as the darkness of night descended upon them, and they strained against the oars, trying to keep the boat afloat.
Suddenly, in the distance, they saw a figure walking on the water towards them. At first, they thought it was a ghost, but then they heard a familiar voice calling out to them – it was Jesus. Peter, ever impulsive, called out to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus replied, “Come.” Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water towards Jesus, but as he felt the wind and saw the waves, fear overtook him, and he began to sink. Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter, saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” The disciples, witnessing this incredible display of Jesus’ power, worshipped him, declaring, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
What is Matthew 14:22-33 about?
This verse from the Bible, taken from the book of Matthew, is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and trust in times of doubt and difficulty. It tells the story of Jesus walking on water, a miraculous and awe-inspiring moment that defies the laws of nature. When Peter sees Jesus walking on the water, he wants to join him and walks towards him on the water. However, when Peter starts to doubt and fear sets in, he begins to sink. Jesus immediately reaches out his hand and saves him as he cries out to Jesus for help in that moment.
The deeper meaning of this verse lies in the lesson of unwavering faith and trust in Jesus. Just like Peter, we may face moments of doubt, fear, and uncertainty in our lives. But it is during those times that we must remember to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and trust in his power to save us. When we falter, we can always turn to Jesus for help, and he will be there to lift us up and guide us through the storm. This verse teaches us the importance of trusting in Jesus in all circumstances, even when things seem impossible or when we feel like we are sinking. It serves as a reminder that with faith and trust in Jesus, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way. Let this story inspire you to trust in Jesus, knowing that he is always there to save you, no matter the circumstances.
Understanding what Matthew 14:22-33 really means
Commentary Structure:
- Introduction
- Contextual Background
- Key Phrases and Their Meanings
- Cross-References and Further Insights
- Relevance to Contemporary Life
- Anecdote for Illustration
- We encounter the story of Jesus walking on water and Peter’s attempt to do the same in Matthew 14:22-33. This passage is rich with lessons on faith, doubt, and the presence of Christ in times of trouble.
Contextual Background:
This event takes place shortly after the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus instructs His disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of Him to the other side while He dismisses the crowd. Later, the disciples find themselves in the middle of a storm. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water, which leads to a profound interaction with Peter. Let’s delve into some of the meaningful phrases in this passage. When Jesus says, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid,” He is both identifying Himself and offering reassurance. This echoes God’s self-identification in the Old Testament as “I AM,” signifying His divine presence and authority. Peter’s plea, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water,” demonstrates a mixture of faith and doubt. Peter has enough faith to step out of the boat but becomes afraid when he sees the wind, leading to his cry, “Lord, save me!” This illustrates the human condition of fluctuating between faith and doubt.
Cross-References and Further Insights:
To gain deeper insight, consider Hebrews 12:2, which urges believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Peter falters when he shifts his focus from Jesus to the storm. Similarly, Psalm 46:1 reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” These cross-references fortify the message that faith involves focusing on Christ rather than our circumstances.
Relevance to Contemporary Life:
Today, many of us face storms—whether they be personal, professional, or spiritual. This passage is a compelling reminder that faith in Jesus can enable us to ‘walk on water,’ metaphorically speaking, even amidst life’s tempests. However, it also acknowledges our human frailty. Our faith, like Peter’s, can waver, but Jesus is always there to catch us when we cry out for help. A man faced a severe financial crisis, consider his story for illustration. He felt overwhelmed, much like the disciples in the storm. He prayed for guidance and felt led to take a risk by starting a new business. Initially, things went well, but soon challenges arose, and doubt crept in. However, he remembered to keep his focus on God, much like Peter was supposed to keep his eyes on Jesus. Through persistent prayer and faith, he navigated the storm and eventually found success. This modern-day example mirrors the lesson in Matthew 14:22-33. This passage invites us to trust in Jesus, especially when the seas of life are turbulent. It reminds us that while our faith may falter, Jesus’ hand is always extended to lift us up. Reflect on your own life—what storms are you facing, and where is your focus? We can find the courage to step out of the boat and walk on water by keeping our eyes on Jesus.
How can we keep our faith during life’s storms?
Keeping our focus on Jesus is essential in times of trials and challenges. Just like Peter walking on water towards Jesus, we must trust in Him and not let fear and doubt consume us. We can weather any storm that comes our way by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Remembering that Jesus is with us in the midst of the storm can bring us peace and strength to endure.
Another way to keep our faith during life’s storms is through prayer. Just as Peter cried out to Jesus when he began to sink, we can turn to Him in prayer when we feel overwhelmed by the waves of life. We can find the courage and perseverance to navigate through the difficult times by seeking His guidance and help.
Lastly, surrounding ourselves with a community of fellow believers can also help us keep our faith strong during life’s storms. We can find comfort and strength in knowing that we are not alone in our struggles by sharing our burdens with other believers and receiving their support and encouragement. Together, we can lean on each other and lift each other up in faith.
Application
Think of Peter as a worker stepping away from his desk or a parent taking a leap for their family. He had bold faith, stepping out of his comfort zone to walk towards Jesus on stormy waters. In our busy lives, we face storms of doubt and fear too. The message is simple: trust in the Lord, step out of your comfort zone, and follow Him boldly. Will you rise above your fears and take that crucial step?
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.