Note: Devotion taken from last Sunday's sermon on Matthew 14:21-36.
Matthew 14:21-33 records the miracle of Christ walking on the Sea
of Galilee. The disciples were in a ship “in the midst of the sea,” as it was “tossed
with waves” and struggling against a contrary wind (v. 24). Then, in the fourth
watch of the night (c. 3-6 am), Christ came walking toward them (v. 25).
As he drew near, Christ spoke to the disciples. Notice that he
ministered first to them through his words. Paul will later write that faith
comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17). He offers three
consecutive statements:
First, a command: “Be of good cheer.” It is just one word in Greek, a command from a verb
meaning to be confident, be courageous, be cheerful. He said this to the
paralytic in Matthew 9:2: “be of good cheer.” We might paraphrase it, perhaps,
as, Get-ahold-of-yourselves, or Buck-up!
Second, he makes a declaration: “it is I.” In Greek is it ego eimi, or, “I am.” This
echoes Exodus 3:14: “I am that I am.” It also recalls the “I am” sayings of our
Lord in John (6:35; 8:12; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1).
Third, he commands, “Be not afraid.” Christ calls upon the disciples to push away fear as
they trust in him. 1 John 4:18 says that “perfect love casteth out fear.” Trust
in Christ casts out fear of circumstances, fear of death, fear of failure, fear
of man.
Spurgeon
said of the disciples in the storm: “How much did their case resemble ours when
we are in sore distress! We are tossed about, and can do nothing; the blast is
too furious for us to bear up against it, or even to live while driven before
it" (Matthew, 200).
It is
comforting to know that in such times, Christ says the same to us: “Be of
good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”
Grace
and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle
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