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Matthew 14:22-33—Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.

When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

²⁸ And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Approaching a text like this, it is easy to make a mistake and think it is about the disciples. But this text is not primarily about the disciples – it is about Jesus. We wrongly think this text is about the disciples because of the distance St. Matthew, as he writes this account, creates between Jesus and the disciples. Last week, we saw how the disciples wanted Jesus to dismiss the crowds so the crowds could go get something to eat. But Jesus wanted the disciples to feed them. So He provided.

Just hours later, Jesus sends the disciples away in their boat to go to the other side of the sea. As they row and sail away, Jesus dismisses the crowds and hikes up the mountain to pray. Remember, Jesus created this separation between Himself and the disciples sending them into the middle of the sea even though a storm was approaching.

Remember who has sent them: this is Jesus, God-in-the-flesh who created the waters. He is the God who shut in the sea with bars told the waters, “Thus far you shall come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed” (Job 38:8, 11). This is the very Jesus who sends the disciples out into the middle of the storm.

Does that sound just like God to you? Have you ever sensed that you have been guided by God to go and do something, but then things falls apart? What do you do in those situations? It is easy to doubt. It is easy to assume that you have gone outside of God’s will or done something wrong that has made God is angry.

But that is not case. God can and does send you out into situations that are bigger than you. God can and does send you out into danger and trouble.

Well, these experienced sailors and fishermen are separated from their Master stuck fighting the wind and the waves on their home turf – well, surf would probably be more appropriate. This day just isn’t going their way.

Notice, though, that even though they are having trouble, there is no mention of the disciples being afraid. The disciples are not scared – until they see Jesus. Jesus advances towards them, but all they see is a phantasm. They see a figure emerging from the darkness walking on top of the very same waves that are inhibiting their progress.

The Man who had taught them and explained parables to them, the Man who handed them bread to feed the throng, the Man who they had left everything to follow after nears – and they don’t recognize Him! They see Jesus pealing back the curtain revealing His divinity, and they think He is a ghost. Their Teacher, their God, and their Savior comes to them, but they only see something to fear. Granted, Jesus is appearing in an odd way; He was doing something that no man can do walking across those stormy waves as though they are just wet pavement. Even though the Old Testament speaks about God as the one who walks on the waters (Job 9:8; Hab. 3:15), seeing it causes the disciples to fear.

Remember though, this text isn’t about the disciples. Jesus doesn’t give the disciples tips on how to get out of their precarious situation. He doesn’t say, “Row harder. Put your backs into it. Think positive. You can do it.” He simply speaks words. But in these words, Jesus gives Himself to the disciples. And He doesn’t wait. Immediately (notice ‘immediately’) He says, “Take heart; it is I. Fear not.”

But sometimes, for us, that isn’t enough. Even though Jesus has given Himself to the disciples through His Word, Peter wants more.

Another wrong approach to this text is that we make it about Peter. This text isn’t about Peter; it’s about Jesus.

Peter wants more. “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Always gracious, Jesus invites Peter, “Come.” Things go well – at first. Peter steps out of the boat, walks across the water, and comes to Jesus. But then Peter allows himself to get distracted by the wind. Standing out there on the water, Peter fears what he did not fear before, and begins to sink. The way Matthew words this makes me wonder: How did Peter sink? Did Peter immediately fall into the water just like he was dropped? Did he slowly sink like the sea was quicksand? We don’t know.

Anyway, Peter cries out, “Lord, save me.” If I were Jesus, I’d have lost my patience. I would have let Peter sink down to the bottom of the sea. But how long does Jesus wait to rescue this braggadocios disciple? He doesn’t wait one second. “Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of [Peter] saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”

Peter has no excuse; neither do you. Why would you doubt the God who is so powerful, He could create the universe with a simple word? Why would you doubt the loving nature of God when He is willing to sacrifice His own Son to save the likes of you? You who doubt – you who are also a little faith, there is no excuse for unbelief. Unbelief and doubt only creates trauma.

Peter doubted twice. He doubted that it really was Jesus approaching the boat walking on the water, “Lord if it is you…” then Peter doubted when he saw the wind. Peter should have believed Jesus the first time, and Peter should have believed Jesus the second time. But all this self-induced trauma doesn’t stop Jesus. He keeps saving. He keeps giving Himself.

This text is about Jesus. Believer, even when you too are a little-faith, Jesus continues to do what He came to do. He came to save you. While you were dead in sin and an enemy of God, Jesus came to save you. When you look at this text, see the gracious nature and attitude of your Savior. Truly, He is the Son of God. Truly, He has come to save you. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.