What We Can Learn From Matthew About Faith and Anxiety
Matthew 6: 25-34, 8: 23-27, 14: 13-33
1.
Why did Jesus
tell His disciples—you give them something to eat?
Jesus
wanted to test his disciples’ faith and make them appreciate the magnitude of
the challenge of feeding 5000+ people. Jesus had previously calmed the wind and
waves. Did the disciples believe that He had authority over everything? When the disciples responded
to Jesus’ request, they pointed out the limitations of their situation rather
than Jesus’ power. This is often what we
do!
2.
Three times in just a
few sentences Matthew uses the word immediately — always of Jesus. What does this say about Jesus?
a.
Jesus made the
disciples get into a boat and go on ahead of Him “immediately.”
i. Jesus is decisive. He had 5000+ people clamoring for
his help and probably adoring him over the miracle He just worked. But He knows
what to do and when, and he values quiet time with the Father. So rather than
reveling in the crowd’s adoration, He sends the crowd packing, tells the
disciples to take off in a boat, and goes up to a mountain to spend time in
prayer.
b.
When the disciples
thought they were seeing a ghost and cried out in fear, Jesus answered them
“immediately.”
i. Jesus is close to those who are afraid. He is compassionate
and will respond “immediately” if the situation calls for it. Jesus is the one
in danger—he’s the one walking on water in the middle of a lake!
c.
When Peter began to
sink and cried out for help, Jesus “immediately” reached out his hand and
caught him.
i. Again, Jesus demonstrates his compassion. He could’ve
let Peter duck in the water a little to discipline him over his lack of faith.
Peter was walking towards Jesus but never made it there. The fact that Jesus
was there “immediately” suggests that Jesus moved supernaturally quickly to get
to Peter. This is what He does to get to us.
Every
time Jesus calls a disciple to follow Him, the disciples “immediately” drop
everything and follow Him (Matthew 4). Every time Jesus heals, the miracle is
manifest “immediately” (Mark).
3.
Matthew tells us that
Jesus comes to the disciples “during the fourth watch of the night.” The Romans
divided the night into four shifts: 6:00–9:00; 9:00-midnight; midnight–3:00;
and 3:00–6:00. So Jesus came to the disciples sometime after 3 o’clock. The boat
was on the lake since the previous sunset. Why did Jesus only show up at the
fourth watch of the night?
The disciples’ boat is “a considerable distance from
land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.” This is a rather
tense situation! The disciples had gone into the boat in the afternoon but by
dawn they still hadn’t crossed to the other side. This suggests that either the
lake is huge or that the wind is driving the disciples in the wrong direction.
The phrase “against it” suggests that the wind was driving the disciples in the
wrong direction and they couldn’t overcome it. No doubt they were feeling
anxious, alone and stranded.
It doesn’t say if Jesus expected to cross the lake in
a second boat. Even if He had a boat, the disciples probably weren’t expecting
to see Him. If they set out earlier but hadn’t made it across, they certainly
wouldn’t expect Jesus to catch up to them so quickly. But when the time is
right, Jesus will walk on water to get to us. He will show up when we least expect
it and He will do in a method that we least expect! Unlike the previous
times, Jesus didn’t respond “immediately.” He waited to test the disciples’
faith.
4.
What was Peter asking
when he said, “Lord, if
it is you, command me to come to
you on the water.” What does Peter’s request say about him? What would you
have asked for in that situation?
Peter’s response shows his doubt and faith
simultaneously. He addresses this “ghost” as “Lord” but follows up by saying, “if it is you.” He’s trying to take a
leap of faith that Jesus is who He says He is and that Jesus is walking on
water because He’s God’s Son. Peter is bold, eager, and adventurous. He wants
to imitate Christ despite the risks. He has faith that, on a word or command
from Jesus, he too can walk on water. His faith is very much like the Centurion
whom Jesus praised! In believing that Jesus can work miracles by word alone,
Peter and the Centurion are acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God.
Notice that Peter doesn’t use his ability to walk on
water to go exploring about the lake. In other words, he doesn’t use this
ability frivolously. He uses this ability to go toward Jesus.
Peter doesn’t expect Jesus to come all the way. Jesus came out partway and
Peter went to meet Him there. The distance of water between Jesus and Peter is
the measure of Peter’s walk of faith. Many of us are like toddlers, learning to
walk in faith but often stumbling.
Personally (this might be what the other disciples
did), I would’ve asked Jesus to get into the boat before he drowns or catches a
chill and then I’d ask him to calm the waves for safe passage. I’d want to play
on the safe side of things. Peter didn’t just want to play on the safe side; he
asked God to help him do incredible things, and God answered his prayer!
5.
Why did Peter start
to sink?
“When he saw the wind, he was afraid.” I’d imagine
that, at first, his eyes were fixed on his destination, Jesus. Then maybe a
gust of wind or wave came and he got distracted. He sank because he kept his
eyes on the challenge and not on Jesus!
6.
Why did the
wind and waves cease only when Jesus and Peter got back in the boat? Why didn’t
Jesus calm the waves before?
Because of love! He wanted the disciples to grow in
faith!
How earnestly can you pray the lyrics to Oceans? When I was a new believer, I sang
this song super loudly in church. But a few years later, I’m much more serious
and contemplative about praying to “go deeper than my feet could ever wander.” Like
Peter, I often start off eager but am unable to complete the task I promised to
do (or at least, I’m unable to remain joyful about it).
This reminds me of the hobbits in The Lord of the Rings. Elrond said that
Merry and Pippin had no idea what they were getting themselves into. Gandalf
answered that if you told them, they might be too afraid to go but they’d feel
bad about being afraid; people will never be completely prepared; sometimes
when people dive into mysteries in faith, they’ll find unexpected strength to pull
through.
"Oceans (Where Feet May
Fail)"
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may
fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest
waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear
surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't
start now
And I will call upon Your name…
Spirit lead me where my trust is
without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could
ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
Oh, Jesus, you're my God!
And I will call upon Your name…
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