Matthew 14: 22-36

Jesus walking on the water

(Matthew 14: 22-36)And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And 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.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.  And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;  And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

He who believes in his own power does not receive salvation from God, because it is the law that believes in himself. Those who try to keep the law try to be righteous by trying to keep the law themselves. Peter shows that he is between the law and Jesus. Jesus accomplished the miracle of the five-year-old, so thousands of people followed.

So, Jesus first went to the disciples by boat to the other side, and Jesus climbed the mountain and prayed. Then Jesus caused the wind and waves to the disciples on the boat. Wind means the Holy Spirit. The ship symbolizes Christ. The beginning of the ship is Noah's Ark. The ark is a sign of salvation, symbolizing Jesus Christ.

Here the sea represents the law. So, in order not to fall out of the law, he was on the ship of Christ. To fall into the water is to fall into the law. When Peter was walking on the water, Peter went out of the boat and walked on the water, but the wind and waves caused him to fall into the water. So, Jesus delivered him.

The reason the Bible wants to tell this story is that even if Peter (Jewish) relies on Jesus, the law bothers him. So again, it is a warning that Peter will fall into the law. Eventually, Peter discovers relying on his own strength. As he looks back at the law, he sees himself afraid in the law. When he looks at Jesus, he is completely out of the law, and his willingness to rely on his own strength appears.

This is the same story that Jesus denied three times before the cross. It means that if you do not see Jesus dying on the cross and are not united with Jesus, you will end up relying on yourself. What Peter wanted was not a Jesus on the cross, but a miracle-making Jesus, still a legalist who relied on himself. Peter ate the loave, which Jesus ate 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves. Then he saw the Lord standing on the water and said, "Lord, if you are the Lord, command me to come."

He said, "Lord," but he said, "If it is the Lord." Faith is to deny yourself first and to rely on Jesus. Is this possible? When Jesus delivered Peter, who fell into the water, and said, “Why do you doubt, little believer?” Faith must be faith in union with Jesus Christ.

We need to take a look at the words and the words, "the Canaanite woman will touch even Jesus' hem, and that the woman who touches it will be healed." What Peter thought was a miracle Jesus. And the earnest heart of those who want to be healed is also healed. Those who are not saved seek only the results of miracle-like faith. Only seeks to go to heaven. Jesus is not the purpose, but Jesus is the way. The one whom Jesus aims for dies on the cross with Jesus, but the man Jesus becomes the way only seeks salvation by relying on Jesus' death. We hold onto the risen Son of God to go to heaven. However, the repentant holds Jesus on the cross. This is faith.

『But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 』 (Philippians 3: 7-9) Faith is entering Christ. Otherwise, it is faith that has no choice but to deny Jesus. To enter into Christ, you must deny yourself and die on the cross with Jesus.