Title: Night of Fear/Matthew 14:22-33
All creatures are brought under the dread of fear. Humans are born into this world with fear. And that fear increases as knowledge and experience become richer. All human beings have feelings of fear churning in their hearts. I would like to receive grace by thinking about the three big questions about fear, looking for answers to them in the text, and looking at how to overcome fear.
1. When does fear arise?
Verse 24 says, “The boat had already departed from the shore, and the wind was against it, and it was afflicted by the waves.” This verse shows that fear always arises in the storms of life. However, we find in the Bible that the closer the disciples are to the Lord, the further away they are from fear.
1) You must believe that the storms of life are under the will of God.
The disciples did not have much trouble because Jesus had the crowds go ahead and cross over. As such, it shows that all problems in the world are within the providence and will of God.
First, the storms of life are under the will of God because they give strength to our faith.
The Gospel of Mark (Mark 6:45ff) says that the Lord saw them very weary. It is clear that when they were in the midst of a sea storm, the Lord was with them, and the Lord was sleeping, and all that was left was to wake them in an emergency. But the Lord has commanded us to go into the storm with faith.
Second, another reason life's storms are under God's will is that they are inevitable in the fulfillment of God's purpose. The Lord had told us to put the boat across the lake to the west. Although obedience to this command would bring the storm head-on, they set sail, knowing there was danger in their path. Because that is the will of God and the command of the Lord.
When we navigate the world, we too will have to obey God's will and purpose rather than human thoughts. It is a Christian to obey even if it is a risk.
2) The storms of life strike strongly those who do not pray.
After sending the disciples, the Lord went up the mountain to pray. At that time the boat was in the middle of a raging sea. The disciples were busy carrying out the command without even having time to pray for spiritual preparation because they were busy rowing the boat in obedience to the command (Matt. 14:2324).
Failing to pray makes God's will difficult and continually intensifies the storms of life. The storms of life are often intensified by not praying. Because not praying robs us of our inner and spiritual powers.
The boat the disciples rode was a rowing boat. They were experienced and strong at sea. But their physical strength is not enough to withstand the storm. What they needed was spiritual strength, not physical strength. The storm blew stronger inside than outside. Therefore, they had to develop spiritual strength through prayer. Because they didn't pray, they took their spiritual strength away. Therefore, they got caught up in the storm and were at a loss for what to do.
2. Why does fear arise?
When we live in the world, we must anticipate and prepare for fear that will come at any time. It is a wise life to live with fear, horror, and storm coming at unexpected times. We need to think about why fear comes and goes.
1) You must know that Jesus comes suddenly and unexpectedly.
As in Matthew 14:25, when the disciples met a storm and were suffering, “Jesus came to the disciples walking on the sea in the fourth quarter of the night.” The Lord’s walking on the sea was manifested in an unexpected way by the disciples. is.
We need to know that the way we choose to reveal the Lord's existence will not always be in line with our expectations. The disciples would have expected to meet the Lord in a different way.
When the Lord was suffering from a storm, He found His disciples in a way they didn't expect, suddenly and in a supernatural way. Even today, we need to know that the Lord seeks us when we are in pain for our beloved children.
2) Jesus misunderstood
Verse 26 says, “When they saw the disciples walking on the sea, they were astonished and called it a ghost, and they cried out in fear.”
The existence of our Messiah and Savior, Jesus Christ, is interpreted as fearful and sometimes imaginary by scholars. And there are those who believe and follow Jesus as a reformer or revolutionist in history by acknowledging that Jesus is only the human Jesus. Such groups are those who deny and do not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. However, when we believe that Jesus Christ has come as the Savior and Messiah in this historical reality and became the savior and Redeemer of mankind, we will receive spiritual and physical blessings.
3. What can get rid of fear?
No one likes to live under the dark shadow of fear. I want to live free from fear. Then think about how and with what you can get rid of fear.
1) Christian courage can remove fear.
In Matthew 14:27, we read, “Jesus spoke immediately and said, “Take it easy. It is I, do not be afraid.” He gave him courage and strength.
First, Christian courage is grounded in Jesus Christ. The Lord walked on the water and said to the disciples, who were gripped with fear, “Be strong. Show off your skills. Instead of saying, “Believe in yourself and do your best.” Don't be afraid, it's me." The word “I am” here means “I am the Christ.” Therefore, he himself said that the source of Christian courage is Jesus Christ.
Second, Christian courage comes from accepting the word of Christ. The disciples did not ask for any signs or prophecies during their suffering. They simply say, “Say the word.” After waiting only for the word of the Lord with an attitude of doing this, obeying the word gave me courage, and I was able to overcome my fear and solve it.
2) To respond to the call of faith is to dispel fear.
When Peter knew that the one called the ghost was the Lord, he said, “If it is the Lord, command me to come on the water” (verse 28). Then the Lord said, 'Come.' In response to this call of faith, I got off the boat and walked on the water.
First, we must know that if we respond to the call of faith, we will face temptation. Peter, in response to Jesus' call, was walking on the water, but he was afraid, "when he saw the wind," and fell into the water (verse 29). I would have walked. When we too live in the world, if we do not get caught up in the worries and worries of the world, we will be able to overcome any test if we only look to the Lord and go out.
Second, those who believe and answer the call will be saved from the seas of the world. There are many types of seas in the world. There are seas of disease, seas of loneliness, seas of sorrow, seas of pain, disillusionment, and temptation. If you want to cross this sea, you have to look directly at Jesus Christ and rely on God's grace to cross. If you do not look to the Lord and look at the waves of the sea, you cannot get out of the water. When Peter got out of the boat and looked only at Jesus, he was walking on the water (verse 29).
3) The hand of Jesus Christ dispels fear.
As Peter was walking on the water, when he saw the wind and fell into the water, he said, “Lord, save me” (verse 30). Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him, and said, “You of little faith, why do you doubt?” The Bible records that when he got into the boat, the wind stopped. It is said that those who do not completely depend on the Lord will have no choice but to be tested.
Christ's saving hand continues even when we fall. The saving hand of Christ is readily available when we ask for it. The saving hand of Christ abounds in all things. Not stingy.
4) The immanence of Jesus Christ dispels fear.
When the Lord is with you, you will find peace and stability. When the Lord is with us, all people's joy will be full (verse 33). Joy abounds.