Peter had a fiery faith and one of Jesus’ closest friends. Today, you and I are going to witness the love and compassion of our Savior of Jesus Christ on full display. Let’s dive into Matthew chapter 14 – Here we go.
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Transcription:
Today on the Bible for Busy People, you and I are going to continue to study the fiery faith of Peter, one of the closest friends of Jesus, and I believe his faith is going to continue to kindle ours. To stoke our own beliefs, or even to inspire you to put your faith in Jesus if you never have before. That’s what Peter did. He was a fisherman when he met Jesus and Jesus turned him into a fisher of men, which reminds me of something that I’ve been wanting to share with you. There’s a preacher, and I don’t know if it was Billy Graham or Greg Laurie, who has a wonderful piece of advice for you and I, as we’re sharing our faith with others. You catch ’em, the fish, the people that Jesus wants to save and let God clean them, and I think that’s wonderful. It’s our job to share the good news, to share the hope in our hearts.
It’s not our job to seal the deal. That’s where the Holy Spirit, that’s where Jesus comes in. So yes, today we are going to continue to study about the faith of Peter and his ups and his downs. We’re going to actually see that literally today. But as a bonus, and perhaps as the main feature today, you and I are going to witness the love and compassion of our Savior of Jesus Christ. I’m Erica, your host, and I want to invite you to join me in Matthew’s gospel. We’re going to be in chapter 14, but first I want to give you a little background, because the Lord Jesus has just heard some very sad news. He found out that his cousin, John the Baptist, the one who was called before he was even born, to be the person who would tell everyone that the Messiah was coming… He died and he died a terribly cruel death at the hands of King Herod and his henchman. So, Jesus is receiving the news. I want you to keep that in mind as we open our Bibles together to Matthew 14 beginning in verse 13. We’re going to see the compassion of our Lord on full display.
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone.
Have you ever had to grieve by yourself for a little bit? That’s how he was feeling.
But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
I just want to say something here. Pitch a little tent. How many times have you tried to be Jesus’ assistant? My dear friend Katie says she’s resigned many times and I’ve tried to resign as well. Right? Jesus, here’s a good idea. This is Jesus’s reply in verse 16.
But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” 17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. 18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
So, they all witnessed this miracle on a day that was hard for the Lord Jesus. He had lost his cousin in a terribly tragic fashion. He was beheaded. It was terrible. He was grieving, and yet in His mercy and in His love, He stepped outside of that grief to heal others, to feed others. He’s our inspiration. On the days when you and I are dry and empty, that’s the time that we lean into Jesus and say, “You are our example. Help us to be like you. Fill us so that we can help others.” Right? Okay, so keep all that in mind. Peter witnessed all of this. He saw Jesus heal people. He saw Jesus feed people, and now Peter is about to be part of a miracle. Verse 22.
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Isn’t it interesting that the wind stopped when Jesus got in that boat? It was like the lesson is over, or… was it just beginning? How did Peter find the faith to step out of that boat in the middle of a raging storm? He had been walking with Jesus. He had been watching Jesus, and he knew what Jesus was capable of. As a matter of fact, he was doing what you have chosen to do right now. You are spending time with Jesus who is alive and present with us right now. See, your faith is going to grow too, Soon you’ll be stepping out the side of the boat of your circumstances and saying, Lord, I trust you, just like Peter did. And if you think he’ll be there to catch you till next time, you are really loved.
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