The Whole Story
Matthew 14
The scene that unfolds in Matthew 14 is one
of the most awe-inspiring in the Gospels. It is not just a display of Jesus’
divine power — it is a deeply personal invitation to trust Him in the middle of
life’s storms. After a day of miracles and ministry, Jesus sends His disciples
across the Sea of Galilee while He retreats alone to pray. As night falls, a
storm rises. The winds howl, the waves batter the boat, and the disciples find
themselves once again straining at the oars, caught in chaos beyond their control.
It is in that darkness, in the fourth watch
of the night — between 3 and 6 a.m., when exhaustion and fear are at their peak
— that Jesus comes to them, walking on the water.
This moment is not just about supernatural
ability. It is a revelation of who Jesus is. In the Old Testament, only God
tramples the waves (Job 9:8); only Yahweh rules the sea. So, when Jesus comes
walking on the water, He is declaring, without a word, that He is the Lord of
creation. The storm that terrifies them is under His feet.
The disciples, understandably, are terrified.
They think they are seeing a ghost. But Jesus speaks with clarity and
compassion: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Literally, He says, “I am”
— echoing the divine name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. This is no
mere rabbi. This is God in the flesh, standing on the waves.
Then Peter — impulsive, courageous, and
deeply human — says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the
water.” Jesus says one word: “Come.” And Peter steps out of the boat. For a
moment, he walks on water too. But then his eyes shift from Jesus to the wind,
and he begins to sink. He cries out, “Lord, save me!” And immediately, Jesus
reaches out His hand and catches him.
This story is not a rebuke of Peter’s failure
— it is a portrait of grace. Jesus saves doubting disciples. He meets us in the
middle of the waves, not once we've reached the shore. The boat isn't the
safest place — the presence of Jesus is.
When they climb into the boat, the wind
ceases. And those in the boat worship Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of
God.” This is the first time the disciples make such a confession together. It
is in the storm — not in the calm — that they come to see Him for who He truly
is.
This passage reminds us that faith isn’t the
absence of fear — it’s the choice to look to Jesus in the midst of it. He
doesn’t always calm the storm first; sometimes, He walks into it and calls us
to follow. But He is never far. He is never late. And He never let’s go.
Jesus is here, even in the storm. Even in the
middle of the night, when our strength is gone and the waves are high — He
comes to us. And His presence is enough.
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus Walks on the Water
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.”
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Matthew
14:22-33
Discussion Questions
Why do you think Jesus sent His disciples
into the boat while He went up the mountain to pray (vv. 22–23)?
What does this teach us about His priorities
and His care for His people?
When the disciples saw Jesus’ walking on the
sea, they were terrified (vv. 2527). Why do you think they reacted this way,
and how does Jesus’ response speak into our own fears?
Peter stepped out of the boat in faith but
began to sink when he saw the wind (vv. 28–30). What does this reveal about the
difference between faith and fear in the Christian life?
Jesus immediately reached out His hand to
save Peter (v. 31). How does this moment illustrate both our weakness and
Jesus’ willingness to rescue?
The disciples worshiped Jesus as the Son of
God when the storm ceased (vv. 32–33). How should our experiences of Christ’s
power and presence lead us to deeper worship today?
Closing Thoughts
Faith is not the absence of fear but the
decision to trust Jesus in the middle of it. Like Peter, we are called to step
out of the boat and fix our eyes on Christ, even when the waves seem
overwhelming. The storms of life — uncertainty, suffering, or doubt — are not
beyond His reach. When we stumble, Jesus is quick to save, reminding us that
His power is greater than our weakness. The right response to His saving hand
is worship, not worry. So where in your life is Jesus inviting you to step out
in faith and trust Him more fully?
END
Teacher notes:
Matthew 14:22-33
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.”
