God’s Son Merits Your Worship
Worry? Trust the Wave Walker!—from Matthew 14:22-36
Has life gotten rocky? Does Jesus seem far off? Are tempests tempting you to doubt, be discouraged? Great news! Jesus sees, cares, and is near. He rescues us from our failings and flailing. God’s Son is to be trusted and worshipped.
In Matthew 14, Jesus fed, then sent the fickle crowds away full (cf. John 6). First, He compelled His disciples to head to the other side of the lake, sending them into a squall. They had seen Him heal and feed the multitudes–manifold miracles. Now, they were laboring to make their way across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus ended a long night of fellowship with His Father to come to His troubled twelve. Seeing Him walk on water, rescue Peter, and calm the winds, their fear and doubt gave way to worship.
Matthew 14:22 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.” (Matthew 14:22-32 –ESV)
God’s Son Merits Your Worship, Faith
Go where He sends you. He is Sovereign.
Receive His care, provisions: 5000, the 12
He’s in full union with His Father (prayer; John 1)
Rest in His perfect timing, even if scary.
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (cf. Isaiah 43)
Walk in faith, eyes on Him at all times.
Don’t let circumstances sink you (1 John 1:5-9)
Humbly call out, confess when feeling swamped
Jesus is God. Bend the knee to Him.
CS Lewis's trilemma: Jesus is “Lunatic, Liar, or Lord”
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Do you share Peter’s confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
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Have you said with Thomas to Jesus: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28; cf. John 1:1-14; Philippians 2:1-11)
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Is this important? Hear John: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30, 31 –ESV)
