Sunday School Lesson
Lesson: Matthew 14:22-36
Golden Text: “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:32-33).
I. INTRODUCTION. Generally people are in awe of demonstrations of power. Spectators at an air show are fascinated by the power in the jets that fly overhead. We are a people who love powerful things. However, instead of being so captivated by the power of engines, we should be in awe of the power of the omnipotent Christ. This week’s lesson focuses on the true story of Jesus walking on the water. This incident left a lasting impression on the disciples resulting in true worship.
II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON. It is commonly accepted that the events in this week’s lesson occurred during the third year of Jesus’ ministry. By this time, it was clear that the religious leaders in Israel would never accept Him (see Matthew 12:22-45; Mark 3:22-30). Prior to the incident presented in our lesson text, Jesus miraculously fed a multitude (see Mathew 14:13-21) which was another confirmation of His messiahship while using the demonstration to teach His disciples. Our lesson begins here after Jesus had satisfied the crowd’s hunger.
III. PRAYER ON THE MOUNTAIN (Matthew 14:22-23)
A. Instructions given to the disciples (Matthew 14:22). After feeding the five thousand (see Matthew 14:15-21), this verse says “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.” The word “constrained” means “to force” or “to compel,” suggesting that Jesus gave His disciples a very forceful command. The command was for them to “get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.” The “multitudes” refer to the five thousand that Jesus fed. The feeding of “the multitudes” took place near Bethsaida which was at the northeastern end of the Sea of Galilee. One would think that Jesus intended to walk the six or seven miles around the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and meet His disciples later on the other side at Gennesaret (see Matthew 14:34). However, as we shall see, Jesus had other plans.
B. Jesus prayed (Matthew 14:23). In this verse, Mathew writes “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” After sending the crowd away, Jesus “went up into a mountain apart to pray.” The word “apart” indicates that He went alone. As the evening and darkness came on, Jesus was alone on a mountainside. Yes, Jesus was the Son of God, but in becoming man He was dependent on His Father just like we are. According to John’s version of this story, the crowd that He sent away wanted to “take him by force to make him a king” (see John 6:15). With this on His mind as well as the hatred of the religious leaders, Jesus had much to pray about.
IV. TROUBLE ON THE SEA (Matthew 14:24-33)
A. The storm (Matthew 14:24). This verse goes on to say “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” According to John’s version of this story, the storm came up after they had rowed twenty-five or thirty furlongs or between three and three and a half miles (see John 6:19). While in the sea, their boat was being “tossed with waves” or battered by the waves of the sea. Matthew describes the winds of the storm as “contrary” or against them coming from the opposite direction.
B. The Saviour (Matthew 14:25-26).
1. (vs. 25). In this verse the writer continues to say “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.” We don’t know how long it was from the time that Jesus compelled His disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, but it must’ve been a few hours because this verse tells us that “in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.” Under the Roman Empire the Jews, like the Greeks and Romans, divided their nights into four military watches instead of hours, with each watch representing the period during which sentinels or soldiers remained on duty: the first watch was between 6pm and 9pm; the second watch was between 9pm and 12am; the third watch was between 12am and 3am; and the fourth watch was between 3am and 6am. Since the action in this verse took place “in the fourth watch” or between 3 and 6am, the disciples could’ve been battling the storm for as much as 12 hours when “Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.” Note: Jesus was the One who sent them out on the sea and was no doubt praying for them so the disciples really were in no real danger at all. But they didn’t know that. The Lord may send us into difficult places and situations, but He never abandons us. As the Master, he sends us, as the Intercessor He prays for us, and as Saviour He delivers us.
2. (vs. 26). At this point Mathew writes “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” When the disciples saw Jesus “walking on the sea, they were troubled.” The word “troubled” here means that they were unnerved and couldn’t believe what they were seeing. You don’t see people walking on water every day. No, the truth is you never see it at all! The disciples didn’t immediately recognize the figure on the water to be Jesus. They all said “It is a spirit” or a ghost. Of course coming to this conclusion they “cried out for fear.” In other words, thinking they were seeing a ghost caused them to scream in terror.
C. The assurance (Matthew 14:27). This verse says “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” As the disciples stared at the figure walking on the sea, Jesus spoke to them with words of assurance saying “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” The phrase “Be of good cheer” means to “take courage” or “be comforted.” Then Jesus identified Himself saying “it is I; be not afraid.” There was no need for the disciples to continue to be afraid because the One walking on the water toward them, in the midst of the storm (see verse 30) was Jesus Himself.
D. The test of faith (Matthew 14:28-29).
1. (vs. 28). At this point, Matthew writes “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Peter spoke to Jesus saying “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” In essence Peter was saying, “Lord if it’s really you, tell me to come to you walking on the water.” Peter’s request was not to prove that this was Jesus and not a ghost, his request was an act of faith. His fear was gone and all he wanted was to be with Jesus. This should be the desire of every believer, to be with Jesus no matter the circumstances. For sure, anybody can sit in the boat and watch what’s going on, but it takes someone with great faith to get out of the boat and walk on water.
2. (vs 29). This verse says “And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” Peter’s full attention had been focused in faith on Jesus and now the Lord answered his request saying “Come.” In other words, Jesus granted Peter His desire to come to Him. Responding to Jesus’ call to come, Peter got out of the boat, in the midst of the storm and “walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” The Lord honored Peter’s faith by giving him supernatural power to walk on the Sea of Galilee.
E. Peter’s failure (Matthew 14:30-31).
1. (vs. 30). Now Matthew writes “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” We see here that Peter’s faith soon began to fade because “when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid.” For some reason Peter turned his attention to the boisterous wind around him causing him to fear for his life. Focusing on the storm and not on Jesus, Peter was “beginning to sink” in the sea. Just as soon as he focused his attention on the storm and his circumstances, Peter’s faith wavered. Even though his faith wavered, he was not completely without faith. As he began to sink “he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Peter called out in prayer to the only One who could save him from drowning---Jesus. Note: One lesson Peter’s experience teaches us is that as long as our attention or focus is on our circumstances and not on Jesus who controls our circumstances, our faith will not grow nor will it keep us over the long haul. When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Christ, the only One who could help him. Yes he was afraid and we may be too, but he still looked to Christ. It’s very unlikely that we may ever walk on water, but we do walk through tough situations. If we focus on the waves of difficult circumstances around us without looking to Jesus for help, we too may despair and sink. In order to maintain our faith when situations are difficult, we must keep our eyes on Jesus’ power instead of our own inadequacies.
2. (vs. 31). This verse continues to say “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Responding to Peter’s cry for help, Jesus immediately “stretched forth his hand, and caught him.” Christ’s time to save is, when we sink. Even today His hand is still stretched out to all believers, to keep us from sinking. Those whom he hath called as his own, He will catch out of the storms of life too. When Jesus saved Peter from sinking, He also rebuked Him saying “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Those whom Jesus loves and saves, He also reproves and chides (see Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6). Faith can be true, and yet weak. Peter had faith enough to bring him upon the water, but not enough to carry him through. Christ tells him that he had “little faith.” According to Jesus, Peter’s problem was “doubt.” The Greek word used here is a combination of two words that literally mean “pulled in opposite directions.” Peter’s faith was pulling toward the Lord, but his doubt pulled him into the sea. Our discouraging doubts and fears are a result of the weakness of our faith. Therefore we doubt, because we are of little faith. Note: The point of faith is to resolve doubts: the doubts caused by the storms in our lives. Truth is, if we could believe more, we would doubt less. The weakness of our faith and the prevalence of our doubts, are very displeasing to our Lord Jesus. It’s true, He does not cast off weak believers, but it’s also true that He is not pleased with weak faith, no not in those that are nearest to him. So Jesus asks us all in times of doubt and little faith, “Wherefore didst thou doubt?” What reason was there for it? When we consider all things, there is no good reason why Christ’s disciples should be of a doubtful mind, no, not in a stormy day, because he is always ready to be to them a very present Help in times of trouble (Psalms 46:1). It takes a strong and growing faith to keep us walking in the paths of righteousness, and faith comes from the Word of God. The best way for us to grow in our faith is to constantly read, learn, and apply Scripture to every area of our lives.
F. The result (Matthew 14:32-33).
1. (vs. 32). This verse says “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” After Jesus saved Peter, they both entered the boat and “the wind ceased.” The sudden end to the storm was yet more evidence of the power of Christ (see Matthew 8:26).
2. (vs. 33). This verse goes on to say “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” In the last 24 hours the disciples had witnessed Jesus feed five thousand men not counting women and children (see Matthew 14:19-21), walk on the Sea of Galilee, and finally calm the raging storm. There was only one proper response: “they that were in the ship came and worshipped him.” This indicates that the disciples fell down at His feet as a sign of reverence and devotion to Jesus. We know that this was a real act of true worship because the disciples declared “Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Therefore, we see that the miracle of Jesus walking on the water was meant to teach the disciples more about the Lord Himself. Even though the disciples had identified Jesus earlier as the Messiah and the Son of God (see John 1:41, 49) they may not have fully understood Jesus’ deity. But here they correctly acknowledged Him as God in an appropriate way---through worship.
V. MINISTRY ON THE SHORE (Matthew 14:34-36)
A. Arrival in Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34). Matthew at this point simply says “And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.” In John’s version of this story, he says that when Jesus and Peter entered the boat it was immediately at Gennesaret. This may indicate another demonstration of Jesus’ power. “The land of Gennesaret” was a fertile plain along the Sea of Galilee south of Capernaum. The Sea of Galilee was also called the Lake of Gennesaret (see Mark 1:16; Luke 5:1) and sometimes referred to as “the lake” (see Luke 5:2).
B. The response in Gennesaret (Matthew 14:35-36).
1. (vs. 35). This verse says “And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased.” The phrase “when the men of that place had knowledge of him” means that there were men in Gennesaret who recognized Jesus. Maybe they had seen or heard of Him during His ministry in Galilee. Regardless of how they knew Jesus they were aware of what He could do. As a result they sent word throughout the area that Jesus was there and people “brought unto him (Jesus) all that were diseased.” People who were suffering from various diseases were brought to Jesus.
2. (vs. 36). Our final verse says “And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” People were brought to Jesus so that “they might only touch the hem of his garment.” Undoubtedly, these people believed that all they had to do was just touch the “hem” or edge of Jesus’ garment and be healed. Maybe they had heard of the woman who had been healed in Capernaum when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment (see Matthew 9:20). The results of these sick people touching the hem of Jesus’ garment was “as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” In other words, all who simply touched the border of Jesus’ clothes were healed. Their faith was shown in their actions. They asked for no special favors from Jesus, but they believed that the slightest contact with Him was all they needed. Even if they didn’t fully understand who Jesus really was or even put their faith in Him personally, the people of Gennersaret believed He had the power to heal. It should be noted that these diseased people who simply touched the edge of Jesus’ clothes were “made perfectly whole.” Christ’s cures are perfect cures. Those that He heals, He heals perfectly. He does not half do His work. Note: Though spiritual healing may not be perfected at first, yet He that has begun the good work in us will perform it until Christ returns (see Philippians 1:6). There is an abundance of healing virtue in Christ for all that give themselves to him. The healing virtue that is in Christ is provided for the benefit of those who by a true and lively faith touch him. Christ is in heaven, but his Word is with us, and He Himself is that Word. When we mix faith with the Word, apply it to ourselves, depend upon it, and submit to its influences and commands, then we are touching the hem of Christ’s garment. It is with this touching that we are made whole. The miracles on the Sea of Galilee and the healing miracles that took place in Gennesaret reveal to us once again the mighty power of Christ. We should stand in awe of His power and the way He used and still uses that power to minister to people.
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