5
Courage in Place of Fear
Question 1:
What’s the riskiest activity you’ve chosen to do for fun?
THE POINT
Courageously follow Jesus, even in fearful circumstances.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Some years ago, I chaperoned some students on a team-building excursion. One exercise involved standing on top of a thirty-foot pole and jumping to catch a trapeze bar. Of course, we would be harnessed in, but a lot of fear can run through your mind when you’re standing thirty feet in the air. I know. I was “volunteered” to be the first one to make the jump.
Climbing the small pegs to the top of the pole was daunting; standing on the small platform was frightening. But the worst was yet to come.
Even though I was wearing a harness, fear gripped me as I looked at the trapeze bar six feet away. With a crowd of teenagers eyeing me, I counted to three and leaped. I grabbed the bar!
What was interesting is that fear didn’t leave me. I leaped despite it. That’s courage: leaping in the face of fear. Jesus’s disciples in Matthew 14 had an opportunity to exhibit such courage — and we do too. The key is fixing our eyes on Jesus, trusting that He will do what only He can do.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Matthew 14:22-26
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.
Matthew 14 records some significant moments in Jesus’s ministry. It begins with the beheading of John the Baptist, the very one who prepared the way for Jesus. Jesus surely knew John from childhood, since their mothers were related (Luke 1:36), so even as He expressed grief at the death of Lazarus (John 11:35), He was also touched by the death of John. “When Jesus heard about it, he withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone” (Matt. 14:13). After this news, Jesus desired some time alone with His Father.
Question 2:
When have you said “yes” to God, not knowing what might come next?
Unfortunately, the crowd’s hunger for Jesus followed Him. In Mark’s recounting of this event, he wrote that Jesus “saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34). And this time of teaching led to Jesus feeding the crowd with five loaves and two fishes (Matt. 14:15-21).
Yet Jesus still had not had that much-needed time with His Father. So, when the meal was over, He sent His disciples on, dismissed the crowds, and “went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” If Jesus needed to get alone with His Father, how much more do we! Those times with God strengthen us, help us get everything in right perspective, and receive what we need from His Spirit to move forward.
While Jesus was praying, the boat that He had told the disciples to get in was being rocked by the waves and the wind. What’s interesting is that Jesus directed His disciples to get in the boat and cross to the other side, even though He knew a storm was brewing. This is a great reminder for us: God’s will and direction for us may lead us into a storm. Some lessons are learned only in the middle of a storm. As we shall see, this became a strong faith-building moment for the disciples.
Earlier that day, Jesus displayed His power over nature by feeding thousands with a small lunch, and He was now showing His power over nature again — and He did it in a way the disciples didn’t expect. In fact, it scared them. Not expecting Jesus — who’d ever seen anyone walking on water? — they assumed it was a ghost.
They reacted in a way common to all of us: We are afraid of that which we don’t understand. When I am faced with something outside of my realm of the norm, I typically bend toward fear, not faith. Despite all the ways Jesus has shown me that He is before all things, I still at times grow faint at the sight of something surprising. Like the disciples, I can jump to the wrong conclusion instead of jumping into the arms of the One from where my help comes.
Matthew 14:27-30
27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Perhaps sensing their fear, Jesus didn’t hesitate to respond to the disciples. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus was doing more than just telling them He was their teacher. The same two Greek words translated “It is I” were used elsewhere by Jesus when He identified Himself as “I am” (John 8:58), a clear reference to Yahweh, the covenant name for God. Jesus was identifying Himself with God. In this moment with His frightened disciples, Jesus assured them that He was Jesus, the One they knew and followed, and He was God, Lord over nature.
Because of who Jesus is, Peter was compelled to trust Him. But Peter wanted to be sure it truly was Jesus, so he did something audacious. “ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter answered him, ‘command me to come to you on the water’ ” (v. 28). If it was Jesus walking on water, then Jesus could say the word and transfer that ability to someone else.
Jesus called, Peter got out of the boat, and he walked on the water just like Jesus. Peter is known for his impetuous nature, so maybe he jumped out of the boat as soon as Jesus said, “Come.” Peter didn’t think; he just acted. In that moment, Peter didn’t let fear rule, but he allowed Jesus to guide his actions. Jesus called — and Peter answered.
Peter succeeded in walking on the water because he obeyed and looked to Jesus. But when Peter glanced away from Jesus and looked at his surroundings, in particular “the strength of the wind,” his fear came back. Peter remembered his circumstances, and in that moment, he forgot who had called him and empowered him to walk on water.
Question 3:
What are some winds and waves that can cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus?
Before we slight Peter for his lack of faith, let’s note two things. First, Peter faltered only for a moment. What did Peter do when his faith weakened? He turned right back to Jesus. “He cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ ” Second, it’s worth noting that Peter got out of the boat, but eleven men stayed in the boat. Peter’s faith may have faltered, but he had enough faith in Jesus to step out of the boat. We can learn an important lesson from Peter on this occasion: Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Matthew 14:31-33
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt? ” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
This is the second time in this account we see the word “immediately.” Jesus wasted no time in calming fears and rescuing those in need of help. Jesus didn’t give Peter a harsh talking to before He would help him. Jesus didn’t let Peter know all the ways that he had fallen short before He extended His hand. Jesus just stepped in quickly and caught hold of Peter when he cried out.
This should lead us to be willing to take a leap of faith; even if we begin to sink, Jesus is right there to help and lift us. Peter had faith initially to trust Jesus and get out of the boat, but Jesus described his faith as “little.” It wasn’t that Peter lacked faith; he just had little faith.
What Jesus said to Peter was a tender rebuke, asking him to consider why he had doubted. Jesus asked because he wanted Peter to think it through and realize the evidence that was in front of him. Peter had enough faith to obey Jesus’s command to come; he walked with his eyes on Jesus, and there was absolutely no reason to doubt even as he looked around at the wind and waves.
Question 4:
What have you learned about Jesus through the storms?
A second miracle was about to happen on the lake: “When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” This was no gradual dying down as the storm moved on. The wind just ended. This becomes doubly clear because of the disciples’ reaction. They were led to worship and declare that Jesus is the Son of God.
The disciples realized that Jesus was far greater than all their fears, and it led them to worship Him. Peter’s worship surely included his thankfulness for being rescued on the water. The disciples worshiped Jesus because He was in their midst. They worshiped Jesus because He was greater than the obstacle before them, and they recognized that fear doesn’t reign when Jesus is in the mix. It’s no different for us. We can’t help but worship Jesus when we see Him for who He truly is. We can stand without fear because He is with us, and He is greater than all.
Question 5:
How has your group helped one another have courage in place of fear?
WALKING OR SINKING?
Look at the different scenes in this passage.
If applicable, explain a time in your own life where you experienced:
Being in the middle of a storm:
Feeling like Jesus is a long way off:
Fear:
Sensing that Jesus may be near:
Listening to Jesus’s voice:
Stepping out in faith:
Boldly walking toward Jesus, in spite of the circumstances:
Sinking:
Feeling Jesus’s hand lifting you up:
The storm has passed, and you have survived:
OCEANS
Where Feet May Fall
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.”
DEUTERONOMY 31:6
LIVE IT OUT
We are to courageously follow Jesus, even in fearful circumstances. Choose one of the following applications:
Pray. Identify those things that you might find intimidating or scary about following Christ in faith. Pray and ask God to strengthen your faith and trust in Him.
Speak. It takes courage to talk to someone about forgiveness or to exhort someone to repent and come to Christ. Identify someone whom you need to talk with, pray for the opportunity, and courageously trust God to lead you in that conversation.
Go. One of the scariest steps I have ever taken was to step out of my comfort zone and go on a mission trip. Talk to your church leaders about opportunities to go and serve Christ courageously for a week, two weeks, or for a lifetime.
There are many things that can cause us fear in life, from the mundane to the serious. But we can have courage because, in Jesus, we can overcome whatever obstacle may come our way.
Teacher Notes:
Dave Auler said sky diving is on his bucket list - so we played this video for Dave!
We can’t always control our circumstances, but
we can control how we respond to them. We face many situations that can be
unnerving and tempt us to be afraid. The key to responding well in those
moments has to do with our focus. Christ is with us in everything we encounter,
and we do well to keep our eyes on Him. A Christ-centered focus may not change
the situation, but it does dissipate the fear in our hearts.
Courageously follow Jesus, even in fearful
circumstances.
The miracle of Jesus walking on the water,
recorded in three of the Gospels (Matthew 14:22–36; Mark 6:45–56; John
6:16–21), came on the heels of His miraculous feeding of the 5,000 with only
five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:17). But it was the miracle of
Jesus walking on the water that, more than any other, convinced Jesus’
disciples that He was indeed the Son of God (Matthew 14:32–33).
Learn to be obey what the Lord says to you.
Matthew 14:22-26
Immediately he made the
disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.
Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves,
because the wind was against them. Jesus
came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. When the disciples saw him walking on the
sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.
What event preceded this narrative that sets
the context?
· Jesus rejected in His hometown of Nazareth
(Matt. 13:54-58) and John the Baptist executed (14:1-12), Jesus and His disciples retreated for a time of
reflection. However, the crowds
followed Him in massive numbers. After healing the sick, He miraculously fed a
crowd numbering five thousand plus women and children (vv. 13-21). The verses
in this session follow this event.
This retreat was one of a series of withdrawals
in what would be the final year of Jesus’s ministry. Such withdrawals gave Him
time alone with the disciples and time alone praying to His Father.
What were three things Jesus did after the
feeding of the multitude?
He made the disciples get into a boat and to go
before Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee
He dismissed the crowds
He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray
Was Jesus omniscient? – All Knowing
Was Jesus omnipresent? – Everywhere at once
Was Jesus omnipotent? – All Powerful
Though the disciples were honoring what Jesus
urged them to do, what became their plight?
The disciples were in a storm, crashing waves, and fierce winds. The situation looked bleak!
Likely the disciples began their journey before
night, we can see how long they had labored on what otherwise would have been a
relatively short trip. They must have been at a point of exhaustion. Not only
physically tired, but mentally and emotionally fatigued as well.
In their time of deepest despair, what did
Jesus do?
Jesus came to them walking on the sea very
early in the morning.
What were at least three occurrences that
brought about fear for the disciples?
They were without Jesus
The sudden storm they faced
They thought that Jesus was a ghost
The implication is they all saw it; so, none
could deny it as a figment of their imagination. Perhaps they concluded that
whatever was coming to them was some apparition, a ghost, some unearthly form
whose presence would seal their fate of death in the stormy waters. They
shrieked aloud out of great fear. Look
what their obedience to Jesus had brought them to! Their willingness was now consumed by doubt and
fear.
Learn to be obey what the Lord says to you.
1.
In every situation,
Jesus knows what is best for us.
2.
Obey the Lord
even if we do not understand what is happening.
3.
Jesus models the
need to spend time alone with God in prayer.
4.
We all face
storms in life that cause distress, fear, and doubt; situations over which we
have no control.
5.
No time is too
dark or situation too dreary that Jesus cannot and will not come to us.
The disciples reacted in a way common to all of us:
We are afraid of that which we don’t understand. When I am faced with something outside of my realm of the
norm, I typically bend toward fear, not faith. Despite all the ways Jesus has
shown me that He is before all things, I still at times grow faint at the sight
of something surprising. Like the disciples, I can jump to the wrong conclusion
instead of jumping into the arms of the One from where my help comes.
Don’t
become distracted by circumstances.
Matthew 14:27-30
Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage!
It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,”
Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.”
And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came
toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and
beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
What were three parts of Jesus’s statement
designed to bring calm to the disciples and what did each mean?
Have courage –
We do well to get our emotions under control in difficult times so we can
better examine and respond to the situation. They assumed the worst — though
rightly so — but rather than give up or give in, they needed to act with
confidence.
It is I -
Notice He didn’t say who I was. Perhaps He knew they would know His voice (John
10:27-28). Some Bible expositors see this statement as reminiscent of the
Lord’s reply to Moses in identifying Himself as I AM (Ex. 3:14); hence, a
veiled reference to Jesus’s divinity. Perhaps so, but these same men had just
witnessed events that were revelatory in nature; the miraculous feeding of the
multitude and His coming to them by walking on water. Consider that Jesus
identified Himself only this way because it was enough.
Don’t be afraid –
Jesus was greater than what created the fear; therefore, He could bring peace
even while the storm still raged around them.
How was Peter’s reply an affirmation of who
Jesus is and an expression of confidence in Him?
“Lord, if it’s you,” “command me to come to you on the water.”
What was Jesus’s reply and what was the
effectiveness of it for Peter?
Come
What distracted Peter and how did it affect
him? What was his cry of despair?
And climbing out of the boat, Peter started
walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the
wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
When has focusing on Jesus given you the
courage to act?
What practices have helped you keep your eyes
on Jesus?
Don’t
become distracted by circumstances.
1.
The words of Jesus
can bring peace in the storms of life.
2.
Jesus supports
our acts of faith with His almighty power.
3.
Turmoil around
us can distract us from focusing on Jesus.
4.
When we are
sinking in despair, we can cry to Jesus, “Save me!”
What are some winds and waves that can cause us
to take our eyes off Jesus?
Before we slight Peter for his lack of faith,
let’s note two things. First, Peter faltered only for a moment. What did Peter
do when his faith weakened? He turned right back to Jesus. “He cried out,
‘Lord, save me!’” Second, it’s worth noting that Peter got out of the boat, but
eleven men stayed in the boat. Peter’s faith may have faltered, but he had
enough faith in Jesus to step out of the boat. We can learn an important lesson
from Peter on this occasion: Keep your eyes
on Jesus.
Worship Him who saves.
Matthew 14:31-33
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught
hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then
those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
What led to Peter’s dilemma?
he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid,
and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
How did Jesus respond?
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught
hold of him,
What other miracle occurred?
the wind ceased.
How did the men respond to Jesus?
Then those in the boat worshiped him
Who were they coming to understand Him to be?
“Truly you are the Son of God.”
Can you think of a trial you’ve gone through,
or seen, that produced a sense of awe and worship of the Lord when it was over?
Where do you currently have an opportunity to
choose courage over fear?
As we enter into 2023
Worship Him who saves.
Jesus saves.
All of nature responds to Jesus as the Master.
Jesus is worthy of our worship.
As believers, we too affirm the truth that
Jesus is the Son of God.
Ready to Step Out?
What have you learned about Jesus through the
storms?
Courageously follow Jesus, even in fearful circumstances.
WALKING OR SINKING?
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified
or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; He
will not leave you or abandon you.”
DEUTERONOMY 31:6
