The Worship of the King (Matthew 14:22-36)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This is the point in our time together where for the next little bit, someone, usually me, gets up here and reads our passage from the Bible and then spends the next little bit unfolding that passage. It is good from time to time to remind us why it is that we do this. We do this, because we truly believe that the Bible is the authoritative word of God that has been spoken and revealed to us so that we may know the God of creation and exactly how he has sought to restore that creation in light of sin having entered the world.
As Christians, we are to believe that the Bible is sufficient for the things of faithful living before a holy God, teaching us what it is he requires for us to draw near to him and live. We believe that the Bible is also clear and understandable on these things.
Therefore, we are to read and study the Bible according to its terms and its purposes. Too often we are in danger of misreading our Bibles because we approach it in a wrong or poor manner. The Bible is not our life coach book with Jesus as the ultimate life coach for how we are to live a better life and be a better us. And yet, that is often how we read the Bible. We dig into it and are seeking what is this to say to us on reshaping how we are to live. This type of reading is problematic, because it misses the beauty of the hero of the Bible, Jesus!
Jesus is the hero of the Bible, from beginning to end! For Jesus is the seed of the woman promised in Genesis 3:15 to come as the seed of the woman who will crush the head of the serpent. Jesus is the one rider coming on the white horse as the one called “Faithful and True”, the king of kings and lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16). Jesus is the Messiah King, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. Jesus is the lamb who was slain and the Lion of Judah. He is the one and only one worthy of opening the scrolls around the throne of heaven in the vision of John in the book of Revelation.
Therefore, we need to see primarily in the Bible that it is pointing us to Jesus! Particularly in the gospel accounts, which we have been studying in one of those accounts, the gospel according to Matthew.
The gospels reveal to us who this Jesus is so that we may believe in him and bow in allegiance to him as King! We are to sit under our King and listen and obey all that he commands. And as we do seek to listen and obey him, let us beware and not miss him! For that is one of the greatest dangers in the teachings of the gospels is to miss the teacher, the Redeemer, the Savior, the Son of God himself! A danger that is particularly present in our passage this morning of Matthew 14:22-36. So please turn there with me now. This can be found on page# 975 of the Red Bible found there in your seats.
While you are turning there, let me help give us a running start to make sure we are all on the same page. As we have been making our way through the Gospel According to Matthew, we have been seeing who Jesus is being revealed to be. We have seen him revealed as the Son of Abraham who is to bring blessing to the nations. We have seen Jesus as the Son of David, the one who is to sit on David’s throne forever. We have seen that Jesus is the one who has come to save his people from their sins. We have seen that Jesus is the beloved Son of God with whom he is well pleased. We have seen that Jesus is the better Adam who resisted the temptations of the devil in the wilderness where Adam failed in the garden. We have seen that Jesus is one who teaches with great authority, greater than that of the scribes and the Pharisees, the supposed experts of the law. And we have seen Jesus do many mighty works that have only been attributed to God himself. And we continue to see this point this morning. Therefore, before we even read, let me encourage us to keep our eyes on Jesus as the primary one this passage is about. (READ Matthew 14:22-36).
Main Idea: Jesus is the Son of God who we are to look to and worship, for it is he who is the full revelation of God’s glory as the one who rescues and restores.
Jesus Tramples
Jesus Heals
1. Jesus Tramples
1. Jesus Tramples
Jesus has just finished feeding the 5,000 plus crowd, which we looked at last week. And while Matthew’s gospel account makes no mention of this, John’s account of the gospel says that Jesus perceived that the crowds were about to take him and make him king (John 6:15). This is problematic. Problematic, because while Jesus is indeed the Messiah King, that is not the kind of king that the people are seeking to crown. They desire a king like that of the nations. A king who will rule their people and give them the ability to conquer their enemies. A king after their own hearts.
This is not the king, that King Jesus is. King Jesus is the king of kings who advances his rule not by the sword, but by turning hearts to himself. Hearts that seek to believe him and obey. Therefore, Jesus takes action prior to the crowds accomplishing that which their hearts’ desired. For Jesus knows his disciples are already struggling in many parts of their discipleship. They are struggling with the rejection that is openly there against him and the proclaiming of God’s kingdom. He knows that they are confused by all of this. Therefore, Jesus wants to send them away quickly before this false view of Jesus’ kingship adds to the confusion. Therefore Jesus sends both the disciples away, as well as the crowds. Matthew 14:22…
Ironically, it is in the dismissing of the crowds, as well as his disciples, the stage is being set for Jesus to show the true nature of his kingship. But first, we are emphatically told, Jesus is alone. For twice we read this in Matthew 14:23…
Jesus ascends the mountain for the clear purpose of praying as he is now finally alone. Alone with his Father. Alone to commune with him. Part of this time is likely Jesus reflecting on John the Baptist’s death, as well as Jesus’ own coming death where he would be nailed to a tree. Another part of his praying is also likely for his struggling disciples, both literally as they cross the sea, but also spiritually as they struggle to grasp the fullness of the kingdom.
Now, remember that we said we are to keep our eyes on Jesus in this passage, that it is primarily about him! Even here as we see Jesus alone to commune with the Father is primarily showing us the sweet communion between God the Father and God the Son in this narrative! It is to continue to show us that Jesus is the true and better Adam, the true and better David, the true and better Noah who does not break communion with the Father at any point!
At the same time, we can certainly learn here from Jesus as our eyes are set on him. That as we are in him, we are to continually be given to prayer. For just as our King sought the Father, how much more should we?
To borrow from John Calvin,
“Prayer is the chief exercise of faith, and the means by which we daily receive God’s benefits.”
Therefore, beloved, let us be given to the regular discipline of withdrawing to be alone with the Lord in prayer. Seeking to pray and seek the Lord’s aid through life’s trials and temptations. Seeking the Lord’s aid to help us put off the old and put on the new. Seeking aid to conform more to our King in all his glory!
Yet, again because this is primarily about Jesus, we should take heart. For the main thing here is not to just see our need to pray, but to see that Jesus prays. He prays for himself, as well as most certainly interceding here for his disciples. For again, remember that it has emphasized Jesus is alone, but the narrative account now turns our attention back to the disciples whom Jesus has not forgotten about or simply left to themselves. He knew their circumstances and planned to come to them. Matthew 14:24…
The disciples have been traveling for some time and are no longer near the shore which they left. In fact, we read that they are a long way from shore. Speculation has them about 3-4 miles from shore. And they are having the most difficult time getting across.
The picture that is being painted for us is to think of a decent size fishing boat large enough for at least 12 passengers to be in. So it is no tiny boat. Yet, the wind is pressing against the boat as it seeks to move forward across the sea. A wind that feels like a wall to get through. On top of that the waves swelling up and crashing and beating against the boat from their fierceness.
This is the picture we are to have as we catch another glimpse of just who Jesus is in his power and identity. Matthew 14:25…
No person is capable of walking on water. It just doesn’t happen! Skeptics have tried to dismiss this by trying to say that Jesus must have been walking on some kind of sandbar in the midst of the sea, but that just can’t be. Tell me when has a sandbar ever been that far out from shore? No, Jesus really did come to them here in the fourth watch of the night, that is between 3-6AM by walking on the sea.
And as he comes, it frightens the disciples. V.26…
This fear is an irrational fear. For there is no such thing as ghosts! The disciples have grown up being taught from the Scriptures of the Old Testament about the God who created the world in its goodness, as well as the world that has been infected by sin. They have therefore a worldview that is going to teach them how to rightly see and understand the world in which they live. A world in which even in its brokenness has no ghosts. However, though they know that ghosts do not exist, the surprise and fear of one coming to them walking on the water in such winds and battering waves sends a great fear into them. A fear that brings irrational thoughts and draws superstitions out of even the most disciplined of mind. Yet, as fear overtakes the minds of the disciples. Jesus calls out to calm their fears. V.27…
In Jesus saying it is I, is not an indication of them simply knowing Jesus’ voice and saying the teacher is here. When Jesus says, it is I, he along with Matthew in his recording of this, expects us to know something earlier in the Scriptures. For this it is I is a ringing out of Exodus 3 where God reveals himself to Moses on the mountain in the burning bush. And as he does so, we read this from there:
14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
Jesus here is declaring himself equal to I AM! To YHWH as he comes to them walking on the sea. This is not just some empty claim though. Jesus even here in his actions is showing this to be true, that he is equal with God as the Son of God!
For in his walking on the beating waves with the wind blowing against him, he is showing that he has the authority and power of God. For consider here in how YHWH is described:
19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.
Jesus walks the path of the sea, on the waters where is footprints are unseen, something attributed to God alone!
Or again, turning back even to our Scripture Reading earlier in the service from Job 9 where Job describes YHWH in this way:
8 who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea;
In walking on the crashing waves, does Jesus not trample them under his feet as he shows his authority over them? If not here, certainly we see it down in verse 32 where the wind and waves ceased to blow!
Jesus is revealing to the disciples, and us through this gospel account, that he is clearly equal to God as the Divine Son of God in his walking on the sea. And therefore, as he is showing himself to be such, is teaching the disciples to not fear, for I am is with them!
This calling to not be afraid is in light of Jesus being the full revelation of God’s glory, particularly his then going with his people which is a result that they should not fear. We see YHWH communicate this to Moses and Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land:
5 And the Lord will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
I am is with the disciples and they should then not fear! For he is their refuge and strength! He is the Sovereign Ruler of all who is mightier than the whole of creation!
But doubt is at work in the disciples. V.28…Peter seeks proof that it indeed is Jesus, and asks that he instruct Peter to come to him on the water. V.29…
Peter for a few moments walked on the water at the command of Jesus. However, Peter took his eyes of Jesus and doubt and fear entered. V.30-31…
Peter’s doubt and little faith caused him to begin to sink. And yet, he cried out to the LORD to save him, and he did. Many will make this about the amount of faith Peter had or rather lacked here. But the measure of faith is not the fullness of what is at stake. Peter took his eyes of Jesus, and then doubts and fears began to re-enter.
Matthew 14:31 then is more to do with the object of the faith rather than the amount. Our faith must rest in Jesus and Jesus alone! For our hope of salvation, our hope of deliverance is not in faith itself, but faith in Jesus!
A faith that should then be all the more strengthened as we consider how Matthew 14:31 points us more to Jesus than it does Peter. Look there again with me at V.30-31…
Peter got distracted by the wind and was afraid and began to sink in his little faith, in his doubt. But notice Jesus. Jesus was within reach, Jesus quickly grabbed Peter’s hand the moment he cried out, “Lord, save me”. To quote one commentator, “Peter took his eyes off Jesus, but Jesus never took his eyes off of Peter.”
When we feel our faith will fail, when we are barely holding on, as long as the object of our faith is Jesus, we can rest with certainty that he will not let us go!
Many in our church need this most sweet and precious reminder this morning! For many of you are dealing with many pressing things that are weighing on you. You feel burdened by those pressing things, you feel as if you are barely hanging on because of such pressure. Beloved, turn your eyes upward to Jesus who is I am! He will hold us fast because of our trust in him. He will hold us fast and keep us and strengthen us and care for us despite our weakness and little faith.
But there is one final thing we should see here in this first section and first point. Seeing Jesus as the clear Son of God is to lead us to confession and worship! V.32-33…
Where those who heard Jesus teach in parables failed to understand, where those in Jesus’ hometown failed to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, where Herod failed to hear the word of the LORD and repent, where the crowds failed to see rightly who Jesus is, the disciples here did not fail. Though still much to learn, they are growing to recognize exactly who Jesus is, the Son of God! The Son long promised to come as the seed of the woman to overturn the curse of sin and death! To turn back things to God’s very good beginning! The disciples are beginning to see this and make this right confession and they give worship to Jesus! They worship him as one who is equal to God, for he is God!
Because of who he is, Jesus is worthy of our worship. He is to be delighted in along with the Father and the Spirit. For the three persons exist as one God!
2. Jesus Heals
2. Jesus Heals
V.34 shows Jesus with the disciples finally arriving at the other side in the town of Gennesaret. And we continue to see how the fame of Jesus is spreading. V.35…
As Jesus has continued to teach and perform many powerful miracles, word has made its way around the Sea of Galilee. People in every town have begun to hear that he is one who has the power to heal. And therefore, when they hear that Jesus is there, they flock to him all who were sick so that they might be healed by him. Not even by word, V.36…
To touch Jesus is enough to make one well. All who simply touched even the outer fringe of his garment was made well from whatever illness or disease that had previously afflicted them.
Despite the crowds continuing to miss who Jesus is and turn and believe in him, Jesus’ compassion continues to go forward as he has mercy on any and all who come before him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Both on the sea and again on shore, we see that Jesus is Lord over all creation! We see that he both tramples the sea as the Lord over creation. We see that Jesus is able to make well all who were previously unwell, and that in their touching of him, he makes them well, but he does not himself become unclean.
Jesus truly is the Son of God who we should turn to and worship for who he is! And because of who he is, we can take heart and not fear, knowing that even now as he is seated in heaven next to the Father, he is holding us and caring for us and interceding for us. Jesus will never leave nor forsake us. May we then keep looking to him as the object of our faith and the hope of our salvation.
Let’s pray…
Scripture Reading & Prayer
Scripture Reading & Prayer
1 Then Job answered and said: 2 “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? 3 If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. 4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength —who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?— 5 he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger, 6 who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; 7 who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; 8 who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; 9 who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; 10 who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.
