Matt 14:26-36 Different Responses to Jesus’ Miracles CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Different Responses to Jesus Miracles
26 – it is a spirit – although God is a Spirit and Jesus is God, Jn 4:24, Jesus also has a flesh and bones body that literally arose from the dead and which will literally return to the earth Lk 24:39
26-27 – cried out for fear; be not afraid matches their response to the vision of his coming in his kingdom in Matt 17:6, 7
28 – If it be thou – looks like DOUBT v. 31 – like he wants Jesus to prove it Matt 4:3; 6; Matt 27:40; Lk 23:39
29 – he walked on the water – proof
30 – saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid – you’re either going to rely upon Jesus by faith, regardless of the conditions, or you are going to regard the conditions and quit trusting Jesus – Ps 46:1-3 – the tribulation saints are going to have the faith of Jesus (Rev 14:12) to get then through the terrible circumstances during the tribulation
30 – Lord, save me – one of the greatest prayers in the Bible – right to the point
31 – immediately, Jesus caught him – the Lord answers prayers and he gets right on it if he has to
31 – wherefore didst thou doubt – Mk 6:52, they considered not the miracle of the loaves and their heart was hardened – Peter wasn’t sure about it when he stepped out of the boat – if you are going to step out of the boat by faith you’d better be sure about some things concerning Jesus
32 – come into the ship, wind ceased – Ps 89:9 because he is God, Jn 6:21 immediately the ship was at the land whither they went
33 – then they worshipped him as the Son of God – Matt 27:54
The disciples’ heart was hard even though they had seen the miracle of the loaves – they had to see another three miracles to believe – Peter on the water – storm calm – boat at the shore immediately
34-36 – The people in the land of Gennesaret were different. When they found out that Jesus was there they brought unto him all that were diseased. All they wanted to do was touch the hem of his garment – and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Consider this: these people touched his garment based on the testimony of one woman Matt 9:20-21, the disciples had seen the feeding of the 5000 and yet their heart was hard.