Digging For Truth : Matthew 14: 25-33

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Jesus walks on water

What Jesus said in . . .

Matthew 14: 25 to 33 ( King James Version )

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

14:26 > And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

14:27 > But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

14:28 > And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

14:29 > And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

14:30 > But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

14:31 > And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

14:32 > And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

14:33 > Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Matthew 14: 25 - 33 ( New International Version )

During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them walking on the lake.

v. 26 > When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost" they said and cried out in fear.

v. 27 > But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

v. 28 > "Lord if it is you," Peter replied "tell me to come to you on the water."

v. 29 > "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus

v. 30 > But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out. "Lord save me!"

v. 31 > Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him "You of little faith." he said, "why did you doubt?"

v. 32 > And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

v. 33 > Then those that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Text Quoted in Spirit of Prophecy

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14:31. { TMK 228.1}
“Wherefore didst thou doubt?” said Christ to the sinking Peter. The same question may be addressed to us.... The Lord has pledged Himself to give us strength to enable us to stand. As we search the Scriptures we find ground for confidence, provision for sufficiency. It is our privilege to say boldly, yet humbly, The Lord is my helper, therefore I shall not be moved from my steadfastness. My life is hid with Christ in God. Because He lives, I shall live also. Let us pledge ourselves before God and the angels of heaven that we will not dishonor God by speaking words of discouragement or unbelief.... Close the door to distrust and open the door wide to faith. Invite into the soul temple the heavenly Guest. { TMK 228.2}

In their little boat upon the Sea of Galilee, amid the storm and darkness, the disciples toiled hard to reach the shore, but found all their efforts unsuccessful. As despair seized them, Jesus was seen walking upon the foam-capped billows. Even the presence of Christ they did not at first discern, and their terror increased, until his voice, saying, “It is I; be not afraid,” [Matthew 14:27.] dispelled their fears, and gave them hope and joy. Then how willingly the poor, wearied disciples ceased their efforts, and trusted all to the Master. { GW92 31.1 }

When Peter said he would follow his Lord to prison and to death, he meant it, every word of it; but he did not know himself. Hidden in his heart were elements of evil that circumstances would fan into life. Unless he was made conscious of his danger, these would prove his eternal ruin. The Saviour saw in him a self-love and assurance that would overbear even his love for Christ. Much of infirmity, of unmortified sin, carelessness of spirit, unsanctified temper, heedlessness in entering into temptation, had been revealed in his experience. Christ’s solemn warning was a call to heart searching. Peter needed to distrust himself, and to have a deeper faith in Christ. Had he in humility received the warning, he would have appealed to the Shepherd of the flock to keep His sheep. When on the Sea of Galilee he was about to sink, he cried, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30. Then the hand of Christ was outstretched to grasp his hand. So now if he had cried to Jesus, Save me from myself, he would have been kept. But Peter felt that he was distrusted, and he thought it cruel. He was already offended, and he became more persistent in his self-confidence. { DA 673.3} Read entire Chapter 73

At the command of Jesus, Peter was able to walk on the water. But he had to keep his eyes on the Saviour. As soon as he looked away, he began to doubt and sink. { SJ 79.2}
Then he cried, “Lord, save me,” and the Saviour’s hand was stretched forth to lift him up. Matthew 14:28-31. So whenever one cries to Him for help, the hand of Christ is stretched forth to save. { SJ 79.3}

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:27. { OHC 56.1}
I think of the disciples in that sore tempest; the boat labored with strong winds and heavy gales. They have given up their efforts as hopeless, and while the hungry waves talk with death, amid the storm a light form is seen walking upon the foam-capped billows.... A voice is heard amid the roar of the tempest, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” { OHC 56.2}

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Matthew 14: 25-33 - Jesus walks on water

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