Matthew 14:22-36 Sunday Reflection

As mentioned in the previous article about the song Take Heart, we discussed the story of Christ walking on water (Matthew 14:22-36), and how Jesus put the disciples into the boat to send them off to the other side of the lake without Him, knowing this would be a test for them. In the moment, they needed testing, and He needed the refreshment of spending time alone with the Father. Jesus knew that He needed rest and communion with the Father in order to be successful in His fight against the enemy. It wasn’t that He didn’t have the power and authority, Jesus had already proven that He had authority over the physical and spiritual worlds, but as a fully incarnate man, He needed rest and intentional time with the Father. 

Let’s not miss the opportunity that Jesus gave the disciples as well. They had just experienced a crazy miracle of God working through them to feed thousands of people, they needed time to process that and to be away from the pressures of the crowds as well. One of the best ways to process such big things is in community, and being alone on the boat was a good opportunity, regardless of the wind and waves, because they had already seen their Teacher demonstrate His authority and power over nature when He calmed the storm in Matthew 8:23-27. So with all that in mind, they had an opportunity to discuss the faith building experiences they have had up to that point, but instead they turn to fear in the moment, choosing to focus on the storm instead. 

We can’t sympathize with that at all can we? Going from one instance of God walking with us through hardship, and looking in hindsight to see the spiritual blessings we received, only to be frustrated at the next storm in life and assume God isn’t there with us also. That is what we see even more acutely with Peter, who by faith jumps out of the boat to come to Jesus on the water, but when he focused on the wind and waves he was distracted from his faith by fear of the storm. 

But notice Jesus’ rebuke isn’t that they were afraid in the midst of the storm, but that they doubted while in the storm. The Lord’s will for their lives in that moment was not comfort or rescue out of the storm, but faith and perseverance through the storm. The bottom line from Sunday is “We are called away from our normal, familiar, repetitive fears, to get familiar with keeping our eyes on Jesus.” Paul points to this abiding peace that comes through faith and dependence on God in Philippians 4:6–9 (ESV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

So as we go through storms, go through them faithfully, being encouraged and encouraging one another to keep our eyes on Jesus, and not the wind and the waves.