Read Matthew 14:22-33 “Don’t Be Afraid: Jesus Is in the Storm”
Church,
Last Sunday, we talked about a compassionate Savior, Jesus Christ. We learned that His miracles began with His deep compassion for the crowds. And today, we will continue with the same chapter 14, but today, we will focus on verses 22 to 33. Here we see that Jesus specifically made the disciples get into the boat to go to the other side. First of all, Bethsaida and Gennesaret were both located on or near the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and people could travel between them by land. During Jesus’ time, people regularly traveled on foot between villages such as Bethsaida, Capernaum, Chorazin, Magdala, and Tiberias. So, a journey from Bethsaida to Gennesaret by land would have required walking around the northern shore of the lake.
However, in Matthew 14:22, Jesus specifically made the disciples get into the boat. The disciples could have reached Gennesaret by walking instead of taking a boat. But they took a boat because Jesus instructed them to get into the boat. This was a command from the master, Jesus. And the point is that He intentionally sent them across the sea, while He stayed behind to dismiss the crowd and pray.
Now, the question is, why did Jesus stay behind to pray? He could have gone with them. But He chose to remain behind in prayer. He decided to spend time in the presence of His Father.
Beloved Church, Jesus is teaching us something very important here. Too often, after we experience God’s blessings, we move on too quickly. After our prayer is answered, after the miracle happens, we celebrate the result but forget the One who made it possible. But Jesus shows us a different way. Why? Because Jesus understood that the source of His power was His relationship with the Father. He knew that every victory should lead Him back into God’s presence, not away from it. Whenever you see miracles in your life, please take a moment to pause and remain in God’s presence. When you pray for something, and see the results, please continue to seek God’s presence.
Just moments earlier, Jesus had performed miracles and fed 5,000, not counting women and children. Jesus could have left together with the disciples, but He decided to spend again some time in the presence of God. This was one of His secrets. Any time after performing miracles or before starting something new, Jesus was always spending time in the presence of God. This was his custom.
So, let me ask you a question: What do you do when you see that your phone battery is running low? You charge it, right? You do that because you know you still need your phone. You may need it to guide you while traveling, to communicate with someone, or to help you find your way to a certain place. But when the battery dies, suddenly you feel disconnected. You may feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, not knowing what to do next.
Dear Church, the way we take care of our phones and make sure they are charged should remind us of how we must take care of our relationship with God, because we cannot continue this journey of life running on an empty spiritual battery. When we spend more time in the presence of God, we are filled with God’s power. And no obstacle can get in our way.
This is exactly what Jesus did. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent the disciples ahead and He went up onto a mountain to pray. He remained in the presence of God, renewing His strength. That is why Jesus was not overcome by fear when the storm came. He walked on the water with peace, authority, and power. His time with God prepared Him to face the storm and bring peace to the disciples who were struggling.
This is a very interesting story about Jesus once again in a terrible environment. And the reason we are sharing this Scripture passage is because, many times we also feel that we are in a storm. Sometimes, we feel like God is with us, and sometimes, we feel like God is not with us. And this world at this time is in a storm like this. Maybe you feel the storm in your family, maybe you feel it in your marriage, maybe you feel it in one of the areas of your life, maybe in your health, maybe at your work place, and you feel like you are in a storm and Jesus is not with you.
Look, the disciples were perfectly following the will of God, and yet, we see them struggling in a storm. So, this morning, you can be doing many things to the best of your ability, that is, doing all the right things, yet, you feel yourself running into a storm. You can be following the will of God, but running into a storm. Not because you chose to do something wrong. You can even be fully in God’s presence and following His command, then suddenly a storm comes up.
Some of us are experiencing these kinds of storms in our lives. We may feel we are doing everything right, but yet, we are still in the storm. Today, we can be doing everything right, but yet, we are terrified by the wind and waves of problems.. But the good news is that; Jesus will not leave us alone. And some of us, if we are here this morning, it is because God brought us out of a storm. When we look back over our lives, we can say “I was in a storm, but Jesus came and rescued me.” I am not talking about a storm of rain, but the storm of life, the struggles, the challenges, and difficult moments we have faced. Jesus was there, He brought us through, and that is why we are here this morning with hearts full of praise and worship. For many of us, if it were not for Jesus, we would not be here today.
If it were not for Jesus who brought us out of the various storms in our lives, where would we be today? We would have been defeated by our struggles. But thank you, Jesus, because You never give up on us in the middle of the storm.
Praise be to Jesus, because He makes a way where there seems to be no way. Jesus is good in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and even at midnight. While we sleep, He watches over us, protects us, and remains faithful. Even in the middle of a storm, Jesus is good and His goodness never fails, and He is always there for us.
Jesus is close like no one else. We’ve known Him as a Father. And we’ve known Him as our best friend. And we are living in the goodness of God. So, don’t be afraid.
Beloved Church, the same Jesus who walked on the lake is still walking toward His people today. The same Jesus who said to the disciples, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid,” is still speaking peace into troubled hearts. No matter how the storm may be, Jesus is there. No matter how strong the wind may blow, Jesus is there. No matter how high the waves may rise, Jesus is there.
And because Jesus is with us, we don’t have to fear. The One who rules the wind and the waves is the same One who holds our lives in His hands. When we fall down, Jesus lifts us up. When we are empty, Jesus fills our cup. When we are weak, He gives us strength; when we are afraid, He gives us courage.
So, whatever storm you may be facing:
- Don’t be afraid. Jesus sees you.
- Don’t assume the storm means God has abandoned you.
- Keep your eyes on Jesus rather than the waves.
- Step out in faith when He calls you.
- And if you begin to sink, cry out to Him.
- His hand is still strong enough to catch you.
The disciples were not saved because the sea was calm. They were saved because Jesus was in the boat with them. The storm may be around you, but Jesus is with you. The waves may be high, but Jesus is higher. Your faith may become weak, but His hand remains strong. So don’t be afraid, keep your eyes on Jesus.
Amen.
Prayer:
Gracious and loving God,
We thank You for Your Word today. We thank You for reminding us that You are the Lord of the storm and the Savior who never leaves us alone. When the winds blow against us and the waves rise around us, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Lord, many of us are facing storms today. Some are carrying burdens of fear, worry, sickness, grief, uncertainty, or loneliness. We ask that You would speak Your words of peace into every troubled heart: “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Strengthen our faith when we begin to doubt. Lift us up when we begin to sink. Help us to trust You even when we cannot see the way forward. Remind us that the same Jesus who walked on the water still walks with us today and that nothing is impossible for You.
Amen
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