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Scott's Reference Library
Matthew 14:22 through Matthew 14:33 (NIV)
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of
him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed
them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was
there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land,
buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the
lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.
“It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out,
“Lord, save me!”
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”
he said, “why did you doubt?”
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were
in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Those are not Christ’s followers who cannot enjoy being alone with God and
their own hearts. It is good, upon special occasions, and when we find our
hearts enlarged, to continue long in secret prayer, and in pouring out our
hearts before the Lord. It is no new thing for Christ’s disciples to meet with
storms in the way of duty, but he thereby shows himself with the more grace to
them and for them. He can take what way he pleases to save his people. But even
appearances of deliverance sometimes occasion trouble and perplexity to God’s
people, from mistakes about Christ. Nothing ought to affright those that have
Christ near them, and know he is theirs; not death itself. Peter walked upon the
water, not for diversion or to boast of it, but to go to Jesus; and in that he
was thus wonderfully borne up. Special supports are promised, and are to be
expected, but only in spiritual pursuits; nor can we ever come to Jesus, unless
we are upheld by his power. Christ bade Peter come, not only that he might walk
upon the water, and so know his Lord’s power, but that he might know his own
weakness. And the Lord often lets his servants have their choice, to humble and
prove them, and to show the greatness of his power and grace. When we look off
from Christ, and look at the greatness of opposing difficulties, we shall begin
to fall; but when we call to him, he will stretch out his arm, and save us.
Christ is the great Saviour; those who would be saved, must come to him, and cry
to him, for salvation; we are never brought to this, till we find ourselves
sinking: the sense of need drives us to him. He rebuked Peter. Could we but
believe more, we should suffer less. The weakness of faith, and the prevailing
of our doubts, displease our Lord Jesus, for there is no good reason why
Christ’s disciples should be of a doubtful mind. Even in a stormy day he is to
them a very present help. None but the world’s Creator could multiply the
loaves, none but its Governor could tread upon the waters of the sea: the
disciples yield to the evidence, and confess their faith. They were suitably
affected, and worshipped Christ. He that comes to God, must believe; and he that
believes in God, will come, Hebrews 11:6.