Title: Storm / Matthew 14:22-23
Contents Storm / Matthew 14: 22-23 Rev. Kiho Um
In Matthew 14, the first half of chapter 14 records the incident where Jesus fed a crowd of five thousand people, besides women and children, with ‘five pieces of fish’. And then, as in today's text, Jesus urged his disciples to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and then Jesus went up to the mountain to pray quietly by himself.
However, while Jesus was alone on the mountain to meditate on God's will and providence, the ship the disciples were in encountered a rough storm and was in danger.
They were the disciples who crossed the sea in a boat according to Jesus' command. Moreover, there were some disciples who could say they knew the Sea of Galilee better than anyone else. However, in the text, we find that the disciples are terrified by the storm.
Therefore, I would like to share with you what kind of attitude Jesus wants us to live our lives through through the images of the disciples revealed in today's text.
Disciples looking at the wind
In verse 24 it is written, “The wind was against the wind, and they were afflicted by the waves. “The wind is against the wind” means that there is a headwind, not a headwind, so that the disciples can easily reach their destination.
Due to its structure, the Sea of Galilee is a place where unexpected storms often occur. Also called “Lake of Gennesaret” because of its harp-like shape, the Sea of Galilee is too small to be considered a sea. However, even in the small sea, once the wind blew and the waves started to rise by 3 to 5 meters, it was difficult to move forward.
Maybe some people think this way. “I was on a ship that I left in obedience to the words of Jesus, but there was a storm… .” Of course, like the prophet Jonah, there are times when we encounter storms by disobeying God.
However, even if we obey God well and keep our faith well, there may be storms. Just as a strong wind blew against the disciples' path, there are big and small storms that obstruct the course of our lives. Sometimes winds of sorrow, winds of poverty, winds of sickness, and winds of frustration blow, preventing us from reaching our destination. In that case, what do we do?
Perhaps most people, like the disciples, believe in their abilities and knowledge and try to somehow overcome the wind and move forward. Then I look at the sea swaying with the wind, I look at the darkening sky, I feel frustrated and afraid.
But have you forgotten something? What did the disciples forget? Within just a few hours, the disciples who had experienced the miracle of ‘five blights’ through Jesus had forgotten Jesus as they looked at the wind blocking their way.
The event in this text is also recorded in Mark 6 and John 6, but nowhere does it say that the disciples found Jesus. There is not a single verse in which he prayed to God.
The winds that stand in our way are not by our strength, not by our experience, not by our abilities. Therefore, the most difficult time is when we pray, and it is only possible with the Spirit of God.
disciples of little faith
It is unknown how long the disciples struggled to row forward, but it is clear that they had been wrestling with the wind all night long. And when it was the fourth watch of the night, Jesus walked on the water in front of the disciples who were exhausted from fighting the storm.
However, Jesus was seen as a ghost in the eyes of the disciples, who were suffering from the wind and the waves and their hearts were full of fear. When the disciples' eyes were blinded by circumstances and fear, they could not see and judge Christ Jesus properly.
Also, the disciples were doubting the power of Jesus. They still did not realize who the Jesus who caused the miracle of the 'five blight' and who was with them was.
Unlike other Gospels, the text specifically records the scene of Peter walking on the water. Peter recognized Jesus walking on the water and immediately asked Jesus to let him walk on the water too. At Jesus' command, Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water. But then a wave swayed with the wind in his eyes. Soon doubts came to his mind and he began to sink into the water.
At this time, Jesus reached out and took hold of Peter, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt? And the Bible testifies that the wind stopped when Jesus and Peter got into the boat.
Dear saints,
Are we, like the disciples, tired and afraid of the storm, mistaking Jesus walking toward us as a ghost? Like Peter, when you realize that the Lord is with you, you seem to take the step of faith right away, but then you look at the environment and sit down again. To this, Jesus is saying to me and you, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
We cannot calm the storm in our lives by our own strength. This is possible only when Jesus comes and intervenes. The wind calms when we have no doubts and fully believe that Jesus is with us.
Of course, Satan continues to create storms. Storms of mind, storms in business, storms in families, storms in society, etc. are causing all kinds of winds to block our vision. However, if we expect and long for Jesus with faith, rely on Him and follow Him, the storm will be calm and the blessings God has prepared will come.
Disciples who grew up through the wind
As soon as Jesus got into the boat, the wind stopped as if it had ever been. And the disciples arrived safely at their destination. Moreover, it can be seen from the text that the disciples not only arrived safely at their destination, but also their perspective and faith grew one step further.
It was only through a short period of time and a series of events that the disciples realized who was with them. And the disciples' enlightenment and growth in faith can be found in the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.
In the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Then he asked, “Who do you say I am?” At this time, Peter confessed his faith, saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
It is, of course, the grace of God that Peter was able to confess this. But on the other hand, we can see that his faith has developed one step further through the sufferings and experiences recorded in today's text.
So is our faith. Through the wind that blocks our way, our perspective and faith in Jesus grow one step further. The wind doesn't just make us miserable, it's what makes us grow and strong.
Dear saints,
Even now, Jesus comes to us who are troubled by the wind that blocks our way and says, “Take it easy, it is me, do not be afraid.” He says, “Do not doubt, believe.”
Are there storms in your life? Don't be afraid. Look to Jesus earnestly. Have faith. And above all, pray.
So, I pray in the name of the Lord that you may live a victorious life by making your way smooth, guiding the boat you are riding to safely arrive at your destination, and walking with Jesus every day, who has prepared a wonderful blessing in your life. do.