BTS Chapel 11 Dec 89

JESUSAND PETER

WALKINGON THE WATER

Introduction

Matt 14:22-33 (NASU) Immediately He made the disciplesget into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent thecrowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountainby Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

24 But the boat was already a long distance from theland, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourthwatch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.

26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, theywere terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out infear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it isI; do not be afraid." 28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You,command me to come to You on the water." 29 And He said, "Come!"And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he criedout, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand andtook hold of him, and ^said to him, "You of little faith, why did youdoubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those whowere in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God'sSon!"

Anature miracle: like other such

--calmingthe sea

--waterto wine

--multiplyingloaves & fish

 Tells us something about who Jesus is:

--powerover nature matches greatest prophets

--directnessof miracle-working surpasses theirs

Thisincident is unusual re/ action of Peter:

disciplessometimes shared in Jesus' miracles

            --loaves& fishes (where did multiplication take place?)

            --castingout demons (not in his presence?)

butthis is most direct: Peter doing miracle in Jesus' presence (tho not when he isnot)

almostseems like grand-standing on Peter's part, but not rebuked by Jesus for this.

Is This an Acted Parable?

Afairly common feature of OT prophetic ministry:

--Ahijahrips cloak (1 Kings 11:29)

--Isaiahgoing "naked" (Isa 20:2-6)

--Jeremiahsmashing clay pot (Jer 19:1-13)

--Hosea'smarriage (Hos 1-3)

--Jonah'sgourd (Jon 4:6-11)

[sometimes involvesmiracle: gourd, Ezk's sticks?]

Someactions of Jesus are parabolic:

--Footwashing

--Cleansingtemple

Somemiracles of Jesusparabolic:

--Cursingfig tree (Mark 11)

--Healingblind man (John 9)

What Does It Mean?

TheStory Itself:

            Peteris able to accomplish something humanly impossible through the empowerment ofJesus.

            Jesusdoes not reject or rebuke Peter's desire to do so.

            Peterbegins to waver when he realizes he is out of his depth (sorry about pun!).

            Whenhe withdraws his trust from Christ and begins to fear (dangerous) circumstances,he fails.

            Jesuscomes to the rescue.

Understoodas Acted Parable (similar to application):

            Notnecessarily that Jesus will do miracles thru us (but don't deny possibility hemay choose to).

TheChristian life, rightly lived, is like walking on water.

Ifwe will really trust Jesus in living our lives, we will come into circumstancesand opportunities that are way over our heads.

Ifwe quit depending on Jesus, and begin to fear our circumstances, God will letus fail:

--contrastProphets Uriah and Jeremiah in Jer 26

            Jeremiahstayed & was safe

            Uriahfled in fear & was killed

--Jer1:17: "Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them."

TheXn life is a life of constant trust:

Letus make God our security, Rather than security our god

AndGod will make our enemies flee before us (even Satan!),

            Ratherthan us flee our enemies (even the weakest of them).

ReadLev 26:7-8 (NASU)

But you will chase your enemies andthey will fall before you by the sword; 8 five of you will chase a hundred, anda hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before youby the sword.

ReadRom 16:20 (NASU) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.