Bible Passage: Matthew 14:22-23
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: August 9, 2026

Bulliten – August 9, 2026

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

The story before us this morning is well-known.  When I read the text a few moments ago, that very likely was not the first time you had ever heard this story.  This event is recorded by three of the Gospel writers.  Matthew, Mark, and John all record it.  But when we read all three of these stories, we will notice something quite interesting.  Matthew is the only one who includes the information about Peter getting out of the boat and walking on the water.

Don’t you find that curious?  But it’s true.  Peter does not even get a mention by Mark and John!  Why not?  It seems like this is a story about Peter.  It is a story of his faith and his doubt.  It is the universal story of us all, one moment walking on water, the next sinking down in doubt.

But in the end, this is a story about Jesus!  It is a story about who he is!  The disciples at the end of the account really sum up the event’s significance.  When Peter and Jesus finally get in the boat, the disciples do not focus on Peter.  “Peter, you were doing so good for a minute!”  “Peter, what was that like walking on top of water?”  “Peter, why’d you look away from Jesus?”  It’s not about Peter.  It is about Jesus.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped [Jesus], saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!” (v. 33)  There is the take-home!  Truly the Son of God!

            It had already been an eventful day.  Earlier Jesus and the disciples had traveled across the Sea of Galilee from west to east.  On the eastern shore they found that crowd in the thousands waiting for them.  This is the crowd Jesus then fed with five loaves of bread and two small fish.  When clean-up was done, Jesus sent the disciples on the return trip across the lake while he dismissed the crowd and then spent some time alone talking to his Father in prayer.

Out on the lake, things are not going so well for the disciples.  There is a wind-event happening.  The wind is coming out of the west directly at the boat.  Matthew tells us the boat was being buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. (v. 24)  The word “buffeted” is elsewhere translated as “tortured.”  Rowing against this wind and waves was torture!

This torture goes on for most of the night.  Somewhere between 3 a.m and 6 a.m. we are told, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. (v. 25)  It seemed surreal to the disciples.  It’s a ghost! (v. 26)  Was this apparition of heaven or hell?  Was it angelic or demonic?  They cry out in fear.  But then over the sound of the wind, that voice.  That familiar voice, Take courage!  It is I. Don’t be afraid. (v. 27) Peter tests the claim.  Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water. (v. 28)  In gracious condescension Jesus says, Come. (v. 29)

Peter dangles a cautious foot over the side of the boat.  It contacts the water.  But it doesn’t “give” like water.  It supports him!  Peter starts walking toward Jesus.  Everything is going great!  Until…when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (v. 29)  Peter stopped walking by faith and slipped into walking by sight.  “That’s a big wave coming right at me!”  A hand grabs hold.  Peter’s Lifeguard is there.  Peter is safe.  Peter is saved.  But the rescue comes with a question, You of little faith, why did you doubt? (v. 31)  

Time to talk about a couple things we mustn’t miss in this story.  Why would Jesus pre-plan this miracle of coming to his disciples walking on top of water?  And he clearly pre-planned it, based on how he insisted his disciples get in the boat and start without him!  For the Jews, and many ancient cultures, the sea was a scary thing.  It was deep and it was dark and it was foreboding.  It was associated with chaos and disorder and confusion.  Kind of like what the ancient map-makers would do with their maps.  In the uncharted sea they would write, “Hic sunt dracones.”  “Here be dragons!”  But in the Old Testament, God is pictured as the one who can walk upon the dark and scary waters.  Job described God this way, He [God] treads on the waves of the sea. (Job 9:8)  Job pictures God as walking on the scary water!

Now we should reexamine Jesus’ words.  Take courage!  It is I. (v. 27)  Literally what Jesus says is, “Take courage!  I AM!”  “I AM.”  Those words struck awe in the hearts of Jews.  That is the most sacred name of God!  This is the way God identified himself to Moses at the burning bush.  God said, “I AM WHO I AM.”  That is the name “YAHWEH.”  It is the name of God that emphasizes his faithful, covenant love.  It’s his Savior-name in the Old Testament. In translations it is often rendered as “the LORD.”  As Jesus walks upon the water, he declares, “I AM.”  The disciples literally saw what Job poetically described!  They were watching the LORD God walk across the water!  That is why the Lord Jesus asks Peter, Why did you doubt? (v. 31)  That is why the disciples in the end gasp and grasp this truth, Truly you are the Son of God! (v. 33)

What is dark and scary and confusing to you right now?  What is the “sea” of chaos and confusion in your life?  Is it cancer or Alzheimer’s, in yourself or someone you love?  Is it beginning a new chapter of life?  Beginning college?  Beginning a new job?  Beginning retirement?  Now look carefully.  Do you see who walks over it all like it is nothing? Do you see who is calm and in control of it all?  It is the Lord God!  It is YAHWEH!  It is Jesus!  And look!  He extends his hand to grab hold of you!  That hand that grabbed Peter grabs you!  That hand that grabbed Peter was later nailed to a cross, not just to save us from a watery grave, but to save us from an eternity in hell!

So take courage!  Step out of the boat!  The sea is not so scary, not when your eyes are on Jesus!  “God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform.  He plants his footsteps on the sea, and rides upon the storm!”  You’ve got a Lifeguard, for time and for eternity!  Jesus!  Truly he is the Son of God!

Amen.