Sermon Tone Analysis

Jesus Prays on the Mountain

Following a day of teaching and healing, Jesus performed one of His most impressive miracles - the feeding of the 5,000.

While the crowds recognized Him to be “the prophet that is to come,” their excitement was misplaced, and they tried to make Jesus a king.

Jesus responded to the attempt swiftly; while He had been compassionate on the crowds, He could not allow them to proceed with this plot.

He immediately sent the disciples to the other side of the sea, and then dispersed the crowds.

Sending the disciples away probably helped break up the crowds, and it kept them from being influenced by the hysteria and excitement of the crowd seeking to make Jesus a king.

Jesus Himself retreated to the mountains for time alone in prayer.

We can’t know exactly how long the Lord spent in prayer, but it must have been several hours.

It was sometime in the “evening” when He began, and it wasn’t until sometime between three and six A.M. that He went to the disciples.

This is Jesus’ first opportunity at rest in some time, but He doesn’t use it to sleep; He uses it to pray.

The death of John the Baptist is surely still on His mind, and it likely made the approach of His own death all the more real.

We may discount the effect of the crowd, but realize that their attempt to make Him a king is not so different than the third temptation Satan offered.

All-in-all, Jesus needed time to be alone with God in prayer.

If the Lord Himself needed time alone in prayer, how much more do we need such prayer?

In times of despair, trial, or temptation do we turn to God?

Disciples Struggle through the Storm

While Jesus spent the evening on the mountain, the disciples tried to cross the sea as the Lord had commanded.

John tells us there was a storm due to a “strong wind,” and the disciples had only made it three or four miles across the sea.

Matthew tells us the wind was “against them” and Mark says they were “making headway painfully.”

The storm may have been just a wind-storm, meaning that the sky may have been clear, with no clouds or rain.

This may explain why they are able to see Jesus later.

The storm does not seem to be as life-threatening as the previous storm recorded in the gospels, but it is still difficult and dangerous.

Like the previous storm, however, the disciples find themselves in this situation because of their obedience to the Lord.

They obeyed Jesus’ instruction and set out across the sea, and it was for that reason that they were in the storm.

Once again, Jesus had lead them into a storm, and this time He wasn’t with them!

While He wasn’t with them, He was still watching over them.

Mark tells us that Jesus saw them making headway painfully.

While the disciples had no idea where Jesus was, He was watching, and He saw their struggle and their need.

Jesus Walks on Water

Matthew and Mark tell us Jesus came walking on the water towards the disciples around the fourth watch, which would be sometime between 3:00 and 6:00 AM.

We’re not told when He began or where, simply that around this time He approached the boat.

While the disciples strained against the wind and waves, Jesus calmly walked on the waves.

Critics try to explain away the miracle, but the language of all three writers is abundantly clear - Jesus walked on the water.

Not the shoreline, not a sandbar, but on the sea itself.

Mark makes an interesting comment on the event.

He says that, “He meant to pass them by” (6:48).

Some think He meant to walk alongside them to the shore; some think He was testing the disciples.

Mark’s comments might have a much deeper meaning though.

We see similar language in a few important spots of the Old Testament:

As in the feeding of the 5,000; there is here a hint at Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, but in an even higher sense.

God is not "passing by" Jesus.

Jesus Himself fills the role of God "passing by" His followers.

As He filled the role of God as creator in the feeding the 5,000; here He fills the role of God as controller of nature, walking upon the waters.

While this may not have been in the disciple’s minds during the event, it seems likely this is the lesson Mark is conveying when he includes this piece of information in his gospel.

At some point, the disciples notice a figure on the water.

Either by moonlight, the early light of dawn, or perhaps lightning if it is a rain-storm, they see Jesus walking close to them.

Matthew and Mark both tell us they thought it was a ghost.

It is not that the disciples believed in “departed spirits” roaming the earth - such a notion is contrary to the teaching of both the Old and New Testaments.

In their situation however, how else could they explain what they were seeing?

What else could it be?

Seeing something as this causes dread and terror in the disciples.

Matthew and Mark both record the Lord’s cry to the disciples: “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.”

Jesus’ words here are not a rebuke, but meant to comfort.

The theme of “do not be afraid” is found throughout Matthew’s gospel.

Seven other times we read Jesus or an angel instructing individuals or groups, “Do not be afraid,” “fear not,” “have no fear,” etc. Jesus also encourages them to “take heart.”

Jesus is not dismissing the disciple’s plight or making light of it.

He is seeking to remind them of the security they can know with Him.

Take heart is, as in 9:2, 22, an assurance for those who have good reason for fear: it does not indicate that the crisis is not real, but that in the presence of Jesus fear can be dismissed - RT France, TNTC on Matthew

Jesus does not promise us freedom from difficulty and danger, but neither does He overlook such times.

He does not necessarily pull us out of trial, but He equips us to endure it, and promises our eternal safety if we trust in Him.

All three gospel writers include the exact same phrase, “It is I...” Jesus doesn't give His name that they may recognize them - He uses a phrase that carries divine themes.

In fact, it is similar to the phrase, "I AM" and echoes the name God gives for Himself in Exodus 3:14 when He says, "I AM WHO I AM."

Thus, as one commentator said, "Jesus not only walks in God's stead, but He also takes His name."

Peter Walks on Water

Only Matthew records the details of Peter walking on the water also.

As might be expected, Peter is the disciple that breaks the silence after Jesus’ makes Himself known.

Peter’s response is unexpected however.

Peter addresses Jesus as Lord, and bids the Lord to provide a command.

"If it is you..." might portray some doubt, but that is unlikely.

Some even suggest this could be rendered, "since it is you..." Whatever the case - Peter believes that Jesus not only has the power to walk on water (which he can see before him) but also has the power to enable Peter to accomplish such a feat.

While Peter will also be an example of weakened faith, we should not overlook his great example of bold faith at the beginning.

After all, none of the others seemed ready to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus.

"[Peter] is impetuous, sometimes arrogant, and quick to speak before he things.

But the bottom line is that aside from Jesus, he hold the water-walking record" - Mark Moore, Chronological Life of Christ.

Peter's faith is remarkable, but it also makes sense.

Remember, the disciples had recently been sent out by Jesus to preach, and they had been given power to heal diseases and cast out demons.

In short, Christ gave them the power to do what He had done.

If Jesus could impart that power, why can't He impart this power also?

Peter's faith is not a blind leap, but based on what he has learned of Jesus.

That does not detract from his faith - it teaches us about the true nature of faith.

Faith is built upon what we learn and know of Jesus.

As we know Him more, our faith grows more.

Jesus' response is only one word: "Come."

The Lord's invitation may be simple and it may be challenging - but it is there and it is empowering.

Peter leaves the boat and for a while does the impossible - he too walks on the water.

Matthew says in fact he "Came to Jesus."

He apparently got quite close to the Lord before doubt took hold.

After already completing the impossible, Peter allowed himself to be distracted.

When he "saw" the wind, that is, he noticed the wind and the havoc it was wreaking, he did exactly what Jesus had commanded not to do - he became afraid.

Even when we start with great faith; even when we work for the Lord; even when we reach heights of spiritual maturity; we must still be cautious, because doubt and fear can still cause us to sink.

Peter asked to be called; he responded to the call; he walked on water; he even got close to Jesus, yet still the wind weakened his will in the end.

We must never take our eyes off Jesus, no matter how far we've come.

Being afraid, he began to sink.

Panic, doubt, and fear only lead to worse problems.

Sinking into the storm-tossed sea, however, Peter does exactly what is needed - he calls to Jesus again.

Peter did not seek to swim on his own accord, he cried out to Jesus, "Lord save me."

The same Lord that could bid him walk on the water could pull him up also.

Jesus responds immediately.

Notice, He didn't respond before Peter called to Him, but when Peter cried out, Jesus immediately took hold of Peter to save him.

If you are sinking in sin, the Lord is standing ready to save.