The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 14 Part 4 Jesus Can Calm The Storms Of Life

In our last post we studied a gap between Jesus dismissing the multitude and when He told His disciples to sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

What transpired in that gap is not recorded by Matthew but it was recorded in Mark, Luke and John.

This gap included Jesus going up into the mountain alone to pray.

His disciples followed after and Jesus asked them two questions. First, "Who do the people say that I am?" Second, "Whom say ye that I am?"

Peter immediately confessed that Jesus was the Christ of the living God.

Jesus told His disciples not to repeat this truth until after He rose from the grave.

This was the first time that Jesus foretold His suffering, death and resurrection.

Then, Jesus taught His disciples about self denial and taking up the cross daily to follow Him.

This brings us to the next miracle of Jesus recorded by Matthew.

Matthew, Mark and John record this miracle of Christ, each gospel writer adding unique details as guided by God's Spirit.

The disciples began to sail across the sea as Jesus commanded but a violent storm arose.

Matthew 14:22-24  And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 

The words indicate that Jesus quickly compelled His disciples to enter a boat and begin the trip across the Sea of Galilee.

Now, the gap has been filled. Jesus gave His disciples more truth and they entered the boat to make the journey as He commanded.

At this point, Jesus remained in the mountain alone, to  spend time communing with His Father in prayer.

Matthew adds a note of context for this miracle. The ship began sailing and encountered strong headwinds, causing the boat to be precariously tossed around in the water.

Jesus saw His disciples toiling as they attempted to row toward the opposite shore.

The word translated "toiling" literally means  to be vexed with grievous pains of body or mind, or to torment.

These men were seasoned fishermen and were well trained in sailing, but this was no ordinary blast of wind. 

Strong winds seemed to hit them from many different directions, stymying their progress and threatening to swamp their boat.

John's gospel tells us that their boat was about 3 1/2 miles off shore which means their lives were in danger if the boat capsized (See John 6:18-19).

Matthew and Mark tell us that it was about the fourth watch which ran from 3 AM to 6 AM (See Mark 6:46).

Jesus saw their trouble and distress, and walked on the water toward their ship. 

Matthew 14:25-26  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 

Jesus saw the trouble His disciples were in and He went to them, walking on the water!

This is an amazing miracle indeed, that our Lord could suspend natural law and make the stormy sea support Him as He walked out to His disciples.

The disciples were in disbelief when they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them and cried out in fear, thinking it was a spirit of some kind.

Christ's disciples were seasoned sailors in great trouble about 3 1/2 miles from shore.

Mark 6:48-50 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49  But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50  For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

Mark adds that as Jesus was walking toward them on the sea, that it seemed as if He would walk past their boat.

They immediately cried out and were troubled.

Immediately, Jesus talked with them in time of their greatest fear and distress.

Jesus then said "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."

In a time of great peril and hopelessness, Jesus called out to His disciples with words of comfort and assurance that all would be made right. 

Christ's disciples heard Jesus speak to them and they willingly and gladly received Him into their ship.

However, Matthew adds some more detail to this narrative.

Peter asked Jesus for permission to walk to Him on the raging waters.

Matthew 14:28-33  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  33  Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. 

Mark 6:51  And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

When Jesus said "Be of good cheer; It is I" Peter was quick to respond to the Lord.

What an impetuous and bold request Peter made.

He said it if is really you, Lord, give me permission to come to thee on the water.

Peter stepped out of the ship and began walking on the water to Jesus.

As soon as Peter took his eyes off the Lord and looked at the boisterous wind and angry waves, he began to sink.

With great fear, Peter cried out to Jesus "Lord save me!" and Jesus reached out His hand and saved Peter.

As soon as Jesus and Peter entered the ship, the winds ceased.

This awesome display of Jesus' power over nature prompted His disciples to worship Him and confess that He was indeed the Son of God.

When the disciples willingly received Jesus into their ship, He delivered them safely to their destination.

John 6:19-21  So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20  But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. 21  Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

Notice the detail God's Spirit guided John to record for us.

A soon as they willingly received Jesus into the boat, the ship was at the land they were trying to sail to.

Remember that they were stuck in the storm about 3 1/2 miles across the sea of Galilee, and it is about 7 miles wide at that point.

Not only did Jesus calm a raging storm, He moved the entire ship across the remaining 3 1/2 miles in a moment of time.

Let us think about what the Psalmist wrote regarding God controlling natural elements. 

Jehovah is infinitely mightier that any raging storm tossed ocean.

Psalm 93:3-4  The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. 4  The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

When sailing on a boat like Jesus' disciples did, wind causes waves to crest and fall with alarming power, endangering the people and the cargo.

Yet, the Psalmist reminds us that Jehovah is in heaven and He is in control.

He is far mightier than the howling winds or the tumultuous waves. 

Psalm 107:24-31  These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. 28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 

In this text, the Psalmist describes the actions of Jesus in this miracle.

Storms are attributed to the mighty works of God for He can command a storm to commence and it obeys His will.

Wildly raging waves seem to tower up to heaven and then plunge deeper into the ocean.

Sailors caught in a ship during such a violent storm reel back and forth, staggering like drunkards because of the waves and wind.

Yet, those who know the LORD and cry out to Him for help will find deliverance from their troubles.

He makes the storm calm and stills the raging waves, just as Jesus did in this miracle.

Sailors were glad when God stilled the storm that they faced and rejoiced because He brought them to their destination.

This is exactly what Jesus did. He calmed the wind and stilled the angry waves and then immediately transported their ship to land.

The Psalmist reminds us not to take the goodness and mercy of God for granted. Rather, we must praise and worship Him for His goodness to all mankind.

What does this miracle teach us?

First, as we walk though this earthly pilgrimage, we will face storms of many kinds, such as financial problems, physical illness, family issues and cultural pushback.

There will be times when the storms we face are severe as the one Jesus' disciples faced.

Second, when storms of life engulf us, we must look to our Lord with faith, like Peter did.

Third, we must not allow our attention to be diverted by the stormy circumstances of life, for we will begin to sink like Peter did.

Fourth, we must call out to Jesus Christ for salvation, for He is willing and able to save all who repent and turn to Him for deliverance. 

Fifth, salvation is the greatest gift of God to us and those who repent of sin and trust Christ, will find that He delivers us safely to our final destination which is heaven.

Bob