Who is this Jesus? -- Water Walking (Matt 14-16)

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Who is this Jesus? That is the question we are asking as we explore the Gospel of Matthew. By meditating on His words and actions as recorded by the apostles, we can come to know the one we call Savior a little bit better.

As we turn toward the second half of the book (many commentators consider chapter 13 the pivot point of Matthew), our passage opens up once again with a note about John–this time about his death. This marks a turning point in the story. Up until now, Jesus had been preaching kingdom, kingdom, kingdom. His focus had been centered squarely on the people of Israel. But here we will notice several key shifts.

Man of Sorrows

With the death of John, the true danger of this Kingdom mission strikes home. Jesus and his disciples are risking their lives by preaching this message of Messiah’s reign. When word of John’s death reaches Jesus, a series of events is set into motion that will result in a revelation about both who Jesus is and what he came here to do.

These stories hold a unique position in the amount of parallel there is between all 4 Gospels. The feeding of the 5000, in particular, stands apart as the only miracle to occur in all 4 Gospels. Consider the following table:

Story	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
Death of John the Baptist	14:1-12	6:14-29	9:7-9	(5:35-37) – Not about the death of John, but the witness of John
Feeding of the 5000	14:13-21	6:30-44	9:10-17	6:1-15
Walking on Water	14:22-33	6:45-52	–	6:16-21
Identity of Christ	14:33; 16:13-20	8:27-30	9:18-20	6:66-69

Here we see fulfillment of John’s words: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

One of the first things that strikes me in this story is the reaction of Jesus to John’s death. We read that when Jesus heard this, he withdrew to a desolate place. He had just lost his cousin to the act of a cowardly man and his vindictive wife. Jesus grieved. We know from the book of John that the timing was near Passover (John 6:4). I wonder if Jesus was reflecting on his own approaching death as well.

It’s in the midst of this desolate place that crowds came and interrupted Jesus in his moment of grief. But, rather than being annoyed, the text says that Jesus “had compassion on them.” He healed their sick, knowing that it was not in the plan to do the same for his cousin. Not at this time. What’s more, he fed them. With 5 loaves and 2 fish, Jesus fed his people in the midst of the desert, just as his Father had done so many years ago when the Israelites came out of Egypt. This is our King who has compassion upon his people and shares in our sorrow.

Walking on Water

Jesus sent his disciples on ahead across the sea while he dismissed the crowds. Here, Jesus takes the opportunity to return to his time alone with his Father as he goes up to the mountain to pray. Meanwhile, for the disciples, a storm was brewing.

In a foreshadowing of the time when their Messiah would be taken from them, the disciples are left to face the storms of life on their own. Yet, it is in this time of darkness that the very identity of Jesus will become clear. As the disciples struggle against the wind and waves, Jesus comes to them walking on water. At first, the disciples are scared believing it to be a spirit. But, Jesus reassures them, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Peter responds with a challenge. “If it is you, Lord, command me to come out to you on the water.” Have you ever prayed a prayer like that? I read these words and my first thought is “What are you thinking, Peter?” The man of caution within me recoils at such a thought. Yet, this is the man that Jesus later chose to lead his church in Jerusalem.

Jesus accepts the challenge, “Come.” Peter walks out, the water solid beneath his feet. He comes to Jesus (how far out, we do not know). But, then he looks away. He sees the wind and waves and begins to sink. Still, Jesus is there to catch him.

This is one of my favorite stories in Scripture, because it calls me higher. It calls me to step outside of my comfort zone, resting fully in the power of Jesus. Three points stand out:

• Peter initiated. He asked to be commanded to step out. Because of that, he was able to have an experience that none of the other disciples did. If you want to walk on water, pray to God–ask him to call you out.
• Peter failed when he saw the wind and waves. As long as our eyes are on Jesus, we can walk to him. But faith cracks at the sight of the wind and waves. As you step out of the boat, keep your eyes on Jesus.
• Even when Peter fell, Jesus caught him. We will fall. We will mess up. Our faith will falter. But, Jesus is faithful. He is present. He will be with us even to the end of the age. And he will catch us when we fall. So, don’t fear failure. Trust in Jesus.

This whole story parallels the one earlier in which Jesus calmed the storm. But it takes the disciples a step further as Jesus calls them higher. Earlier they faced the storm with Jesus present in the boat. Here, they were sent on ahead. Earlier Jesus responded by removing the storm. Here, he teaches Peter to walk the waves. Earlier, the disciples responded with a question: “What sort of man is this that even the winds and waves obey him?” Here, the disciples finally discern the answer, “Truly you are the son of God.” And they fell down in worship.

Bread for the Dogs

Two more stories illustrate another key shift. First, is the faith of the Canaanite woman. Notice the language of bread in this story. Jesus had just come from feeding the 5000. This first group is believed to have been largely Jewish. On the heels of this miracle of multiplying bread, Jesus tells the Canaanite woman that it is not right to give the bread of the children to a dog. Yet, this does not deter the woman. She takes the argument and retorts, “Yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the table.”

It’s only after this that the feeding of the 4000 happens. Here, it is believed that the audience was largely Gentile as we’re now on the east side of Galilee. A transition has taken place. On the one hand, the disciples had completed their mission to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 10). Since then, we’ve seen the Jewish leadership become increasingly hostile to the message of Jesus. In chapter 16, we’ll see them ask for a sign again and Jesus will warn the disciples of the “leaven” of the Pharisees and Sadducees. And so, the crumbs fall to the floor and the Gentiles scoop them up eagerly: “And they glorified the God of Israel.”

Son of God, Crucified

Finally we come to the climax of this section and the last major transition (hinted at earlier). John tells us the spiritual meaning of the feeding of the 5000 (John 6). The loaves point to Jesus. He is our bread.

It is here that we’re left with a choice. Feed on the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, endlessly searching the depths of Torah for eternal life. Or come to the one to whom the Torah points–Jesus, the bread of life.

It is hear that Jesus’ mission hits a turning point. Everyone else has left him. They are offended at Jesus’ words. The scribes and the Pharisees cannot let go of their traditions. They claim to ask for a sign, but their minds have already been made up. The only sign they will be given will be one of humility–the sign of the cross.

And so, Jesus starts a new community, one founded not upon the Torah or tradition, but upon his very identity. The disciples confessed this identity just two chapters before when Jesus and Peter walked on water. Now, Jesus puts the question to the disciples directly. “Who do others say that I am?” A prophet. A great moral teacher. A restorer of the Torah. A revolutionary. “Who do you say that I am?” Peter was in a unique place to answer this question. He knew Jesus experientially in a way that the others did not. He had walked on water with his master. “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” And from that point on, Jesus began to reveal the end game–his crucifixion and resurrection. This is who our Jesus is.

One final note, before I conclude this already very long post. It strikes me as significant how right after confessing the identity of Jesus, Peter had his own identity revealed to him. If you’re looking to find out who you are, look no further than Jesus. We find ourselves in him. Our identity, our purpose, our strength–it’s all found in who Jesus is.

So, here’s the challenge:

• Ask Jesus to call you onto the water. Eyes on him; trust him to catch you when you fall.
• Come to know Jesus in a new way as you step out of the boat and walk toward Jesus on the waves.
• Discover who you are in Jesus.