Matthew 14:22-36, Don’t MISunderestimate Christ (4)

The disciples had a problem; they had “contrary winds.”  This is a term that is significant in the making of disciples.  Unbelievers are “those that are contrary” (Titus 2:8).  Paul himself was originally “contrary” to the gospel (Ac. 26:29).  And why were Jesus’ disciple out on the sea to begin with?  Because Jesus had commanded them to go to the other side.  In other words, running from the storm was not an option. 

Yet, unlike the previous miracle, Jesus was nowhere to be seen!  He was up on the mountain by Himself praying.  Matthew emphasizes it: He was alone there.  This went on into the “fourth watch of the night,” the last part of the night, perhaps the 3-6AM shift.  Come daylight and the winds might die down or others might see them and help rescue them. Maybe the disciples were not thinking they would make it to daylight.  As in the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples had no solution it appears.

Then Jesus arrives.  He arrives in a manner, walking on the water, which these days is more often spoken of in humorous fashion.  People make a joke about knowing where the stones were or something like that.  But Jesus came to the disciples in a manner that speaks of who He is as the Son of God.  I know this because of what Jesus said to them: Be of good cheer, egw eimi, do not be afraid. 

Pardon the Greek for a moment, but I wanted to be sure you understood what Jesus said.  Most versions translate these words, “It is I.”  But true to his purpose, Young’s Literal Translation says, I am he.  The “he” is in italics because it’s not actually there.  Jesus simply said, “I am.”  Ego eimi, I am, the same words Jesus uttered in all those “I AM” statements in John’s gospel.  Jesus did not call Himself “the great it is I” in John 8:58.  He was referencing the name Yahweh from Exodus 6:2-8.  In God’s words to Moses, and all over the Old Testament, hundreds of times, God would repeat the words, “I am the LORD.”  On every occasion the word “am” should be italicized because literally God would simply say, I, the LORD.  Jesus is making the same bold statement here.  Joy can return and fear is banished because I AM is here; and you know it because He comes walking on the water.

This is the point of this passage.  It is not just the power and sufficiency of Christ, as in the previous miracle.  It is the presence of God in Christ.  All throughout Scripture this was God’s method of encouraging His people.  His first encouragement to the reluctant Moses, in Ex. 3, was to assure him, I will be with you.  And the “I” that is with you is the Eternal One.  God uttered this assurance to Joshua, David, Jeremiah and to the people of Israel over and over.  You don’t need to fear because I, with you.

Jesus is telling His disciples the same thing, corporately when He comes walking on the water, and personally when He answers Peter’s panicky cry, “Lord, save me!”  Again, don’t misunderestimate Jesus: when He is there, the LORD is there, I AM is with you.  Jesus said these words in Matt. 28:19-20 in calling us to make disciples in all nations.  As we go about this we need not fear, but can go rejoicing, because He is with us always, even to the end of the age. 

What we learn from Peter is that we must not take our eyes off Christ; we must not allow our circumstances to become the focus of life.  The issue is faith.  Do we not understand who Jesus is?  Do we not understand He is with us as we go in His name?  It is more than simply a name, Emmanuel.  It is true.  When Jesus is with us God is with us.  Truly You are the Son of God!

Be of good cheer.  I AM! Do not be afraid.