Jesus walks on water. What does this tell us about Jesus?
(Matthew 14:22-36)
Sermon Outline
“Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matthew 14:33)
We cannot know God unless He reveals Himself to us.
Who is Jesus in this Passage?
- Jesus is the Son of Man (Matthew 14:23). He is a human being like us. He depended completely on God. Because He is human, He understand and sympathizes with our weakness. He is the New Moses, the great high priest (Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 4:15).
- Jesus is Lord (Matthew 14:25). Jesus is Lord over the seas and waves. He walks on water. He is Lord over nature (Psalm 24:1; Psalm 29:2-3, Philippians 2:9-11).
- Jesus is the great “I AM” (Matthew 14:27). Jesus’ self-revelation shows the source of His power. Jesus is not a ghost, He is alive (Job 9:8, Psalm 89:9, Revelation 1:17b-18).
- Jesus is our Creator (Matthew 14:28-29). Jesus is so powerful that He can make ordinary men walk on water (Colossians 1:15-17). He sustains us by His mighty hand, defies gravity, science, logic and common sense.
- Jesus is our Savior (Matthew 14:30). Jesus saves Peter from sinking. He saves us from sin and death. Jesus’ name means, “Yahweh saves.”
- Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 14:33). Jesus is God. Only God is to be worshipped. Jesus is worthy of our worship and praise (Psalm 96:9, Revelation 5:13-14).
- Jesus is our Healer (Matthew 14:34-36). All healing is because of Jesus. Medical healing, physical healing, emotional healing, relational healing, spiritual healing are all because of Jesus (Psalm 30:2, Isaiah 53:5, Jeremiah 17:4).
Making it Real
- Worship Jesus
- Have Faith in Jesus
- Prayer of Thanksgiving to Jesus
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Discuss a time when you thought you recognized something or someone, but it was something/someone else completely.
- This week we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew with the series, “Who Do You Say I Am?” from Matthew 14:22-36. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word. Then, whether you are on your own or with others, read those verses aloud.
- Background: This portion of Scripture continues the story of Jesus after the feeding of the 5,000. He goes up to the mountain to pray and to be alone, while He sends His disciples across the lake.
- Jesus goes up to the mountain to pray (vs. 23). What does this tell us about Jesus?
- Jesus is a man of prayer who intercedes for us (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was praying for the disciples as they struggled in the storm. What does this tell us about Jesus?
- In vs. 25, Jesus walks on water toward the disciples. What does this tell us about Jesus?
- Vs. 26 notes that the disciples were terrified when they saw Jesus. Why do you think they did not recognize Him?
- What “storms of life” are affecting us today, preventing us from recognizing Jesus?
- Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I. don’t be afraid.” What does this tell us about Jesus?
- Who is Jesus that He is able to command Peter to walk on water and he does?
- Why did Peter start to sink (vs. 30)?
- Jesus saved Peter from sinking (vs. 31). What does this tell us about Jesus?
- The disciples worshipped Jesus, and He did not stop them (vs 33). Only God is to be worshipped (Matthew 4:10, Exodus 23:25, 2 Kings 17:39, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 96:9, Revelation 5:13-14). What does this tell us about Jesus?
- Verses 34-36 note that all the sick that touched the edge of Jesus clothes were healed. What does this tell us about Jesus?
DIG DEEPER
- Draw, paint, or ink this story of Jesus walking on water as a way of reflecting on what is happening and what you are learning about who Jesus.
- Say a prayer of Thanksgiving today and throughout this week focusing on one or more of the titles of Jesus found in today’s text. Praise him for “who he is”.