DISCOURSE: 1368
CHRIST WALKING ON THE SEA
Matthew 14:26-27. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
THE Christian’s duties are often difficult and self-denying. Nevertheless he must do the will of God, and leave events to his all-wise disposal. Jesus ordered his Disciples to go in a small vessel to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the multitudes, who had been fed by him. They, probably approving in their hearts the proposal that had been made to invest him with royal authority [Note: John 6:15.], were somewhat averse to leave him; but, being commanded to go, complied [Note: Ἠνάγκασεν, ver. 22.]. In the discharge of their duty they were overtaken with a storm, which not only obstructed their progress, but endangered their lives. In this state they were greatly terrified; but they soon found that the way of duty was the way of safety.
In elucidating the miraculous interposition of Jesus on their behalf, we shall notice,
I. The power he exercised—
He came to them walking on the sea—
[Jesus, after dismissing the multitudes, retired to a mountain to pray; and thus by his own example taught us all, and especially ministers, that, however pressing our public business may be, we should redeem time, even from sleep, for the purposes of private devotion. In the meantime his disciples, driven from their course, were contending with the storm [Note: They were ordered to go over a small bay to Bethsaida; but striving against the winds which drove them nut to sea towards Capernaum, they were, after many hours, only a league from shore.]. But Jesus went to their relief; and, having no boat or attendants to convey him, walked to them upon the tempestuous waters.]
This he did from the purest and most benevolent motives—
[Had he been actuated by a vain ostentation, he would probably have continued walking on the sea, instead of going up into the ship, that the people of Capernaum also might behold him [Note: Besides, he had just refused to be made a king.]; but his disciples were to be his witnesses to the world; and, being very slow of heart to believe, they needed more abundant testimonies for their conviction. Now the walking upon the sea was known to be an indication of Divine power [Note: Job 9:8.]. He therefore gave them this evidence on purpose to prove to them his Messiahship; and, by means of it, he wrought a conviction on their minds, which his other miracles had failed to produce [Note: ver. with Mark 6:52.]
The first effect produced by his appearance to them, leads us to notice,
II.
The fears he occasioned—
His disciples were extremely terrified at the sight of him—
[The day but just beginning to dawn, their view of him was very indistinct. They supposed him to be a spirit. They knew that it was an evil spirit who had raised the storm by which Job’s family were destroyed [Note: Job 1:12; Job 1:19.]; and they possibly might think that such a spirit had stirred up this tempest, and was now coming to overwhelm them utterly. Filled with terror, they cried aloud; accounting him an object of dread, whom, if they had known him, they would have regarded as their most seasonable, most welcome deliverer; but the trouble was necessary, in order to engage their more fixed attention to the miracle now exhibited before their eyes.]
Thus are the Lord’s people frequently harassed by unnecessary fears—
[All are called to sustain some conflicts in the path of duty; and in the midst of trouble the mind is apt to faint. If our difficulties or dangers be great, we are prone to indulge despondency, and to increase by imaginary fears the calamities under which we labour. How often has that been a source of trouble to us, which should rather have been an occasion of joy and gratitude! How often have we forgotten, that God is pledged for our support, while we continue in the path of duty; and that there are a thousand unforeseen ways in which he can appear for us, when we think him most unmindful of our state! But, however distressing our fears may be for a moment, we shall have reason to be thankful for them, if they be the means of impressing us with a more abiding sense of Christ’s love and faithfulness; yea, they are often permitted, and even excited by him, for this very end.]
These fears however were amply compensated by,
III.
The condescension he manifested—
He instantly dispelled their fears in the kindest and most condescending manner—
[He at first appeared as though he would pass by them; but, having tried them for a moment, he revealed himself unto them, and bade them dismiss their groundless fears. He moreover went up into the vessel to them; and immediately the ship was wafted to its destined port [Note: John 6:21.]
Thus does he at this time also allay the fears of his people—
[Are they distressed by reason of fierce opposition? he reminds them that, with Him on their side, they have none to fear [Note: Isaiah 41:10-15.]. Are they overwhelmed with heavy trials? his presence with them is urged by him as an abundant ground of consolation and encouragement [Note: Isaiah 43:1-2; Isaiah 43:5.]. Are they desponding under an apprehension that they are forsaken by him? he gently reproves their unbelief [Note: Isaiah 40:27-31.], and assures them of his unremitting care [Note: Isaiah 49:14-15.]. Whatever be the source of their discouragement, he bids them not fear [Note: Luke 12:32.]; and commands his ministers to labour more especially in comforting their afflicted minds [Note: Isaiah 35:4.]. Thus, by revealing himself to them, he removes their trouble; and, by his presence with them, carries them forward towards the haven of rest.]
Infer—
1.
There is no state in which Christ can not save us—
[Our difficulties may be greatly multiplied, and appear utterly unsurmountable; but “his hand is not shortened that it cannot save; nor is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. He who “made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over,” and saved Jonah in the belly of a fish, can never be at a loss for means to deliver us. On the contrary, the greater be the obstacles to our salvation, the more will he magnify his power and grace in effecting it.]
2. There is no state in which Christ will not save us—
[He sees us when we little think of it; and is often nearer to us than we imagine. Our conflicts may be long; and he may suffer all our endeavours to be frustrated: but he will appear for us in some unexpected way; and his presence with us shall both alleviate our labours, and crown us with success. Only let us invite him into the vessel with us, and we shall gain in safety the desired haven.]