Matt. xiv. 26, 27. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were trotibled, saying, It is a spirit ; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, say- ing, Be of good cheer ; it is I ; he not afraid.
THE Christian's duties are often difficult and self- denying. Nevertheless he must do the will of God, and leave events to his all-wise disposal. Jesus ordered his Disciples to go in a small vessel to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the multitudes, who had been fed by him. They, probably approving in their hearts the proposal that had been made to invest him with royal autho- rity % were somewhat averse to leave him ; but, being commanded to go, complied". In the discharge of their duty they were overtaken with a storm, which not only obstructed their progress, but endangered their lives. In this state they were greatly terrified ; but they soon found that the way of duty was the way of safety.
In elucidating the miraculous interposition of Jesus on their behalf, we shall notice, I. The power he exercised —
He came to them walking on the sea —
[Jesus, after dismissing the multitudes, retired to a moun- tain to pray; and thus by his own example taught us all, and especially ministers, that, however pressing our public business may be, we should redeem time, even from sleep, for the pur- poses of private devotion. In the meantime his disciples, driven from their course, were contending with the storms But Jesus went to their relief; and, having no boat or attendants to convey him, walked to them upon the tempestuous waters.]
This he did from the purest and most benevolent motives —
[Had he been actuated by a vain ostentation, he would probably have continued walking on the sea, instead of going
a John vi. 15. ^ 'Hmycao-ej', ver. 22.
" They were ordered to go over a small bay to Bethsaida ; but striving against the winds which drove them out to sea towards Ca- pernaum, they were, after many hours, only a league from shore.
42t MATTHEW, XIV. 26, 27. [1368.
up into the ship, that the people of Capernaum also might behold him*^; but his disciples were to be his witnesses to the world ; and, being very slow of heart to believe, they needed more abundant testimonies for their conviction. Now the walking upon the sea was known to be an indication of Divine power®. He therefore gave them this evidence on purpose to prove to them his Messiahship ; and, by means of it, he wrought a conviction on their minds, which his other miracles had failed to produce^.]
The first effect produced by his appearance to them, leads us to notice,
II. The fears he occasioned —
His disciples were extremely terrified at the sight
of him —
[The day but just beginning to dawn, their view of him was very indistinct. They supposed him to be a spirit. They knew that it was an evil spirit who had raised the storm by which Job's family were destroyed^; and they possibly might think that such a spirit had stirred up this tempest, and was now coming to overwhelm them utterly. Filled with terror, they cried aloud ; accounting him an object of dread, whom, if they had known him, they would have regarded as their most seasonable, most welcome deliverer ; but the trouble was necessary, in order to engage their more fixed attention to the miracle now exhibited before their eyes.]
Thus are the Lord's people frequently harassed by
unnecessary fears —
[All are called to sustain some conflicts in the path of duty ; and in the midst of trouble the mind is apt to faint. If our difficulties or dangers be great, we are prone to indulge despondency, and to increase by imaginary fears the calamities under which we labour. How often has that been a source of trouble to us, which should rather have been an occasion of joy and gratitude ! How often have we forgotten, that God is pledged for our support, while we continue in the path of duty; and that there are a thousand unforeseen ways in which he can appear for us, when we think him most unmindful of our state! But, however distressing our fears may be for a moment, we shall have reason to be thankful for them, if they be the means of impressing us with a more abiding sense of Christ's love and faithfulness ; yea, they are often permitted, and even excited by him, for this very end.]