Don’t Stop Believing
Matthew 14:22-27
“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Hello Bride of Christ,
“Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.” Renowned preacher Charles Spurgeon states in his “A Bottle in the Smoke” sermon on Psalm 119:83, raising awareness that followers of Messiah, Jesus, are not exempt from trials. Expect trials. Expect storms. Expect opposition.
We find the truth of this reality in the account of the disciples crossing the sea of Galilee at Jesus’ command (Matthew 14:22-33). Jesus instructs His followers to go ahead of Him to the other side of the sea, and they obey (Matthew 14:22-24). What happens? The earth rises in opposition with the disciples. Right at their point of commitment, the sea’s waves and the wind were contrary to them.
Did Jesus tell them to go to the other side? Did they understand the instructions of the Messiah?
Yes, of course! The results of obedience cannot define the call.
Jesus knew when He sent them opposition would confront them. So He meets them out on the water. Not because they were looking for Him to, for they did not recognize Him but mistook Him for a ghost (Matthew 14:26). Yet, Mark’s account captures Jesus watching them strain and decides to come to them (Mark 6:48).
Did Jesus approach them with rebuke? Did He ask them why did you not ask me to help?
No, rather Jesus immediately encouraged them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27) Immediately.
Yet, only one disciple responded boldly, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Matthew 14:28) Only one asked Jesus to command Him to get out of His rocky circumstance. Only one asked for the impossible- on the waters.
And he receives a powerful one-word response, “Come.” (Matthew 14:29)
Obediently, the disciple steps out of the boat. He finds himself confronted again with the contrarian waves and wind, and while fear rises the disciple begins to sink. However, instinctively this time he decides to cry out for help, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30) Immediately, scripture tells us, Jesus stretched forth His hand to catch him. Immediately.
In the same breath of the outstretched hand, Jesus teaches his disciple what this storm dug up… “O you of little faith, why do you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
Little faith? Doubt? This disciple was the only one who responded and got out of the boat while all the others watched!
Bride of Christ, don’t stop believing for Jesus commands us to go places and do certain things. We hear Jesus’ “Come.” Come repent. Come let me in. Come. We respond. Trials break out. Let us glean practical application from our brother disciples’ testimony:
Tip 1: Respond to God’s command.
The disciples did not delay obeying Jesus’ instructions to get to the other side of the sea. Nor did Peter delay in getting out of the boat when Jesus said, “Come.”
Tip 2: Anticipate trials upon commitment.
Storms and trials arise at the point of commitment for the follower of Jesus Christ to test him and reveal to him what lies in the heart. Checkout all the heroes of the bible for the pattern.
Tip 3: Call out to Jesus before, during, and after a trial.
The disciples when confronted with the storm first relied on their strength as Jesus looked on. Jesus’ compassion and love for us compels Him to come and help us even when we do not seek Him for it. However, notice the benefit Peter gained by calling out to Jesus when he found himself confronted with the storm a second time… Peter did not only experience salvation but revelation. Jesus told Peter what the storm revealed within Peter.
As you implement these practical tips you and all those around you will walk away from trials as the disciples did… worshiping Jesus and recognizing He truly is the Son of God. (Matthew 14:33) Might this encourage you Bride of Christ to see your next trial with eyes wide open and lean into it with Jesus.
