Rock the Boat - Week 3
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.”
He healed the sick (4:24).
He cleansed a leper (8:1-4).
He cured a Roman centurion's servant (8:5-13).
He healed Peter's mother in laws (8:14, 15).
He stilled the wind (8:23-27).
He exorcised demons (8:28-32).
He restored a paralytic (9:1-8).
He stopped a desperate woman's twelve-year discharge of blood 9:20-23).
He raised a little girl from the dead (9:18, 23-26).
He opened the eyes of the blind (9:27-30; cf. 12:22).
He made the mute speak (9:32, 33; cf. 12:22).
He healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (12:9-13).
And he took five loaves and two fishes and fed over 5,000 people (14:19)
1) Obedience can lead you into the storm. (V.22-24)
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.
2) Take Heart, Ego Eimi (V.25-27)
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.”
“When we read that we are not only to say, "Wow, what a miracle!" but also, "Wait, only God can control the sea!" As the psalmist says, "O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD..? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them" (Psalm 89:8, 9; cf. Psalm 65:5-8; 107:23-32). And as Job says of God,”
,... who commands the sun... who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled for walked upon] the waves of the sea" (Job 9:7, 8; cf. Job 38:16; Psalm 77:19. Only God controls the sea and walks upon the waves—metaphorically or lit-erally. Jesus controls the sea and walks upon the waves.” - Douglas O’Donnell
3) Faith that leads to action (V.28-31)
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?”
4) The purpose of the storm. (V.32-33)
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.”
V.33 - This is the first time where the disciples refer to Jesus as God’s son.
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Here are five small group discussion questions:
- When Jesus says, "Take heart; it is I," He uses the phrase "Ego Eimi" (I AM). How does understanding this as a declaration of His divinity impact the way you view Jesus in your own life?
- The disciples were following Jesus' instructions when they encountered the storm. Have you ever faced challenges or difficulties while trying to obey God? How did it shape your faith?
- Peter steps out in faith but begins to sink when he focuses on the storm around him. What are some "storms" in your life that distract you from keeping your eyes on Jesus? How can we encourage one another to refocus?
- The disciples' view of Jesus changed as they saw Him walk on water and calm the storm. How has your understanding of Jesus grown through specific experiences in your life?
- What is one way God might be calling you to step out of the boat in faith this week? What support or encouragement do you need from this group to take that step?