Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

---

Maybe it is just me, but I can relate to this story (and I think many others, too) more than I/we would have thought; let me explain. Peter did not set out of the boat for the wrong reasons but lost focus on the only reason he could accomplish the task. When he lost focus on Jesus and looked to the sea, he felt overwhelmed and began to sink. How many of us have set out to do something big or small for the Kingdom, only to lose focus in daily life’s clutter and become overwhelmed? Like Peter, our only hope of rescue lies in calling to Jesus, “Lord, save me.”

A note here: Look at the power of prayer—not just any prayer, but a simple prayer: ” Lord, save me.” We do not need to be gushingly long in our prayers; three words made all the difference in Peter’s life, and they could also for you.

---

CONTEXT

---

14:22–36 JESUS WALKS ON WATER AND HEALS THE SICK

OVERVIEW: This scene in the Gospel picks up where the previous one ended. After the miracle of feeding the five thousand, Jesus dismisses the crowd and secludes himself for a time of extended prayer, in a manner consistent with his earlier teaching on prayer (Mt 6:5–6). The disciples, who departed from Jesus earlier, find themselves in another treacherous storm on the sea.

The testing of the disciples’ faith, including Peter’s, intrigues the reformers. Luther describes how Peter forgot the word with which Jesus beckoned him and therefore lost faith. Erasmus commends Peter’s initial faith but warns about how quickly faith fades when the exigencies of the context are the point of focus. Reminiscent of the disciples’ cry in Matthew 8:25, Peter pleads for the Lord to save him and as in the earlier episode receives a rebuke for his little faith (see Mt 8:26).

Upon his arrival on shore, Jesus again begins to minister through healing by people simply touching his garment, a sign of faith paralleling the woman with the hemorrhage (Mt 9:21–22). Juan de Valdés points out that the men of Gennesaret demonstrate faith before the miracle, in contrast to the disciples in the boat, who had faith in retrospect.

Jason K. Lee, William M. Marsh, and Timothy George, eds., Matthew: New Testament, vol. I, Reformation Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2021), 190.

---

DEVOTION

---

FURTHER STUDY

---

v.24–33. Many very blessed instructions arise out of this short memorial of CHRIST’S grace to his disciples, which we ought, through the LORD’S teaching, to gather. The ship tossed with the waves, and the winds contrary, represents the case of the Church of JESUS at large, and the instance of believers in particular. It is such the LORD comforts in that sweet scripture: Oh! thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted—In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee, Isaiah 54:11, &c. And how often, amidst such frights as situations like the tossing of waves induce, is JESUS very near, as He was to his disciples, and we not conscious of it. Hagar, in the wilderness, could, and did say; Thou LORD seeth me. Gen. 16:13. But you and I too often forget the certain truth. I pray the Reader to remark in the case of Peter’s faith, how strong that faith may be, and indeed is, when at the command of the Almighty Giver of it, the LORD calls it forth; but how slender, when the Lord suspends his powerful arm in the support of it. But do not, Reader, overlook the gentle words of JESUS, even in reproof. Oh thou of little faith! (said Jesus) wherefore didst thou doubt? The LORD did not say, Oh thou of no faith: for faith he had, through JESUS giving it to him; but his exercise of it was little. And let the Reader not fail to remark, the sequel of the whole: When they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Yes! so is it always when JESUS makes himself known unto his people. Fear not, I am with thee. Be not dismayed, I am thy GOD. Look at that precious scripture. Isaiah 43:1, 2. I entreat the Reader, not to overlook the conviction wrought on the minds of the mariners of the GODHEAD of CHRIST by this event. They worshipped JESUS, and confessed who he was. The Reader will recollect also, how frequently this conviction was wrought on the multitude which followed CHRIST; and yet how shortly after the sense of it wore off. Luke 4:22–29. Matt. 21:9. Mark 15:13, 14.

REFLECTIONS ON CHAPTER 14

READER! let us gather a short lesson from the history of John the Baptist. To look at John, when falling a sacrifice at the instigation of a worthless woman, and to overlook the LORD in the appointment, is to consider second causes, and not the first; and very sure will it be, that we shall then make wrong conclusions. Here is a faithful servant of the LORD, borne down by oppression; and here is an incestuous woman triumphing in the godly man’s death. But what follows? Aye, there’s the grand concern. Say ye to the righteous, it shall be well with him. Woe to the wicked, it shall be ill with him. Oh, for grace, to eye the LORD’S sovereignty in all: for this alone will give energy to the lively actings of faith, and keep the soul in peace.

But let me turn from the servant to contemplate the Master! Oh, for grace to eye CHRIST, in the several blessed views here given of him; in feeding and supporting his people, and healing all their diseases. Precious LORD JESUS! do thou manifest thyself to my poor soul under that endearing character, as, JEHOVAH ROPHE, the LORD that healeth the people. And oh! for grace and faith in lively exercises upon his person, blood, and righteousness; that while JESUS is coming forth to bless, my soul through the HOLY GHOST, may be going forth to meet him; and like the people in this Chapter, may my faith be so strong in the LORD, that I may be convinced even the hem of CHRIST’S garment, touched by faith, will make me perfectly whole. Amen.

Robert Hawker, Poor Man’s New Testament Commentary: Matthew–John, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2013), 103–104.