A Word for Today | Matthew 14:22-33
Last Friday, we considered the stirring scene of Jesus standing in the boat amidst the storm, speaking words that calmed the winds and waves. But this was not the only occasion when Jesus’ disciples found themselves in peril on the stormy sea. Matthew 14:22-23 tells of another occasion when Jesus was not with His disciples and a similar danger befell them. On this occasion, the disciples tried to row through the storm but “the wind was against them” (Mt. 14:24) and the going was hard. As in the previous text from Luke 8, the boat depicts the church and the storm reflects the trials of this world which Christ has ordained.
We can imagine that the disciples were distressed not only by the danger but by the fact that Jesus had left them alone in their need. Perhaps you feel that way in the peril of the coronavirus and its related trials. So where was Jesus when His disciple needed him? Matthew explains that Jesus “went up on the mountain by himself to pray” (Mt. 14:23). This scene pictures our current situation, in which Jesus is not present in the world because He is exalted in heaven at the right hand of the Father. There, as Romans 8:34 says, Christ is “interceding for us.” This reminds us that when we cannot see Jesus with the dim eye of faith, and when our fear makes us feel all alone, Jesus is in fact in the place where He can give the most help: at the right hand of divine sovereignty, interceding for the help our salvation needs. Do you realize that His eye is on you today, and His prayers will see you through?
As the story continued, Jesus spied His disciples struggling on the water, so he came down from the mountain and went to them. So, also, through His Word and by His Spirit, Jesus will come to you in your need. When the disciples saw Him coming, Jesus was making a display of His divine nature and power: “he came to them, walking on the sea” (Mt. 14:25). Could Jesus more potently have illustrated His power over the tumults of the world than by walking on the surging waters? Jesus likewise strides over the coronavirus pandemic, able both to save His people and to perform His saving work for sinners.
Seeing Jesus walking on water, the disciples “were terrified” (Mt. 14:26). But Jesus spoke words to them that He now speaks to us: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mt. 14:27). Peter, impetuously encouraged, stepped out onto the water himself, saying: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (Mt. 14:28). Jesus answered, “Come,” and Peter also strode upon the waves (Mt. 14:29). However, as Peter went forth, he looked away from Jesus at the blowing winds and began to sink. But Jesus was there, reaching out His hand and holding Peter fast. The point of this story is that as we believe in Jesus’ power to save us against every threat and opposition, we will experience His power to overcome the raging waters. Jesus asked Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt. 14:31). Let us not doubt our Savior, but face the trials of today with a faith that says to our hearts, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear” (Heb. 13:6), and replies to the challenges of our current trial: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Phillips