Jesus Walks on the Sea
Gospel Prompt
Do you think we can learn about Jesus’ resurrection from the story of how Jesus was separated from his disciples, then miraculously reappeared to them after three watches of the night?
Read the Passage
Matthew 14:13-32
13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Find the Gospel in the Passage
LISTEN TO THE STORY OF JESUS WALKING ON WATER
Passover is approaching (John 6:4). The disciples are about to be separated from Jesus for a difficult period of time that will test their faith. Before this challenging period of separation begins, though, Jesus hosts a simple meal for the disciples and a multitude of five thousand men. At this meal, Jesus provides miraculous bread in enough quantity to satisfy the physical needs of the entire assembly. Jesus blesses and breaks the bread. Then he distributes the bread with his own hands to the disciples, who subsequently distribute the bread to the multitude (Matt 14:13-21).
When the meal is finished, Jesus reveals to his disciples that they must separate for a while. He instructs the disciples to embark on a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee, where he will later meet them (Matt 14:22). Meanwhile, Jesus goes alone to a mountain to pray (Matt 14:23).
During the disciples’ separation from Jesus, they are distressed by powerful and adverse winds upon the sea (Matt 14:24). However, after three watches of the night, Jesus miraculously appears to them, standing in the posture of life, walking upon the sea. The disciples cry out in fear, thinking they are seeing Jesus’ ghost. But Jesus reassures his disciples, telling them, “It is I; fear not!” (Matt 14:25-27).
Peter, of course, suffers a public failure of faith when he tries to walk upon the waters, but Jesus rescues him, and they enter the boat (Matt 14:25-30). Then at last, the disciples worship Jesus with the confession, “Truly you are the Son of God!” (Matt 14:32-33).
DID YOU HEAR THE STORY OF JESUS’ DEATH & RESURRECTION?
As in the previous story, Passover is approaching. The disciples are about to be separated from Jesus for a difficult period of time that will be a true test to their faith. Before this challenging period of separation begins, though, Jesus hosts a simple meal for the disciples. At this meal, Jesus provides bread in enough quantity to satisfy the spiritual needs of the disciples and all of the multitudes they represent. Jesus blesses and breaks the bread. Then he distributes the bread with his own hands to the disciples, who will later distribute the bread to the multitudes (Matt 26:26; cf. 1 Cor 11:23-26).
When the meal is finished, Jesus reveals to his disciples that they must be separated for a while. He instructs the disciples to persevere in faith during their separation because he will later meet them in Galilee (Matt 26:31-32). Then Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray alone in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36,39).
When Jesus is crucified and the disciples are separated from him, they are distressed and greatly perplexed (Matt 26:56). However, after three days have passed, Jesus miraculously appears to them, walking on land in the posture of life (Matt 28:6-7). At first, the disciples are fearful, thinking they are seeing Jesus’ ghost (Luke 24:37). But Jesus reassures his disciples. Having already told the women to “fear not” (Matt 28:10), he now speaks peace to the disciples as well, proclaiming, “It is I!” (Luke 24:39).
Peter, of course, had suffered a public failure of faith in his three denials, but Jesus restores him once more by the waters of the Sea of Galilee (Matt 26:34,69-75; John 21:15-17). Then at last, the disciples gather together upon the mountain, and they worship Jesus, of whom the Roman centurion had said, “Truly you are the Son of God!” (Matt 28:16-17; Matt 27:54).
