Take Heart–I AM

Matthew 14:22-36

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way[a] from the land,[b] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night[c] he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Sent into a Storm (vv 22-24)

Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 

Luke 5:15-16 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

“When you read the four biographies of Jesus in the New Testament, one thing is painfully clear: Jesus’ life template was based on a rhythm of retreat and return, like breathing in and then out. Jesus would retreat: He would slip away from the noise and press of the crowd and find a place where he could pray, alone…He would inhale. Then he would exhale, or return: He would come back to preach and teach and heal and deliver and offer love.”  --John Mark Comer 

John 6:14-15 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 

Scared by a Ghost (vv 25-27) 

Exodus 3:13-14 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 

Job 9:8 who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea;

Psalm 77:16-19 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. 

Isaiah 43:1-3a But now thus says the LORD; he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…

Isaiah 43:16a Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters…”

“Jesus’ ‘I am’ (egō eimi) is not just an everyday self-identification formula (I am he); it is a divine Self-Revelation along the lines of Isa 43.”  --Dale Bruner

“Jesus is acting with divine authority, doing what only God can do.” --Mark Strauss

Saved by a Savior (vv 28-31)

Stunned by the Son (vv 32-33) 

“The synoptic Gospels show us that the disciples understand only by degrees. Therefore their confessions of Christ must not be interpreted as if they had post resurrection understanding of him. One of the marks of the evangelist [i.e., Gospel Authors] fidelity to the historical development of the disciples’ understanding of Christ lies precisely in this— that they show the disciples coming around to the same points again and again, each time at a deeper level of comprehension, but always with a mixture of misapprehension.” --D.A. Carson 

Supernatural Healing for the Sick (vv 34-36) 

Application Questions: 

1. Do you have a secret place where you meet with the Father?
2. When was the last time you got out of the boat? 
3. What area in your life is causing you a lot of fear right now?