No Man’s Land
Matthew 14:22-33 – Victory Fellowship
October 22, 2023 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
Healing Service
I. Introduction
a. Maps had dragons and monsters (some said Treasures)
i. Roman Centurion leading his army in a battle pursuit – “We marched off the map”
ii. He was in no man’s land
b. Peter must have thought he was in no man’s land
II. Explaining the Text
a. A lot going on with Jesus
i. John the Baptist beheaded
ii. Effort to get away interrupted by feeding 5000 men along with their families
iii. Sends disciples on ahead so He can get some alone time with God the Father on the mountain
b. Jesus approached the boat in the middle of the night – walking on the water – in strong wind and high waves
i. Matthew and Mark’s gospel tell us that they were afraid and thought He was a ghost. John relates that they were frightened when they saw Him.
ii. All three of these gospel writers tell us Jesus responded with the words Don’t be afraid, it is I.
1. They use the Greek phrase ego emi – Hebrew equivalent is when God told Moses at the burning bush to tell them
“I Am” sent you.
2. That’s why Matthew remembers that everyone on the boat said “You really are the Son of God”
iii. Then Matthew tells the reader something that Mark and John do not – Peter calls to Jesus and GETS OUT OF THE BOAT!
c. Jesus’ disciples were never out of His mind. When He was grieving over John, healing and feeding multitudes, praying on His own- He was also caring for and protecting His followers. Even when they didn’t know where He was.
III. Application
a. In our society of gadgets and technology we often feel we are in no man’s land.
b. Modern culture notwithstanding, often just being out of our comfort zone – or thinking or planning for an unknown future - gets us in strange waters.
i. Especially when we take our eyes off of Jesus.
c. If we have faith – it’s not good to justify what we do simply because we’ve always done it this way. That is tradition in the worst sense of the word
d. It’s even less faithful to say that unless we can see the outcome we won’t do it or even consider it. That is refusing to go into no man’s land where Jesus has promised to meet us and direct us.
IV. Conclusion:
a. Jesus told Peter he had “little faith.” I wonder what Jesus thought about the faith of those who were afraid or unwilling to get out of the boat – let alone suggest such an idea.
b. God meets us like He did Peter. In no man’s land – when we have “marched off the map” and into trusting Him for the outcome.
i. It all comes down to faith. Even if we have little faith we could walk on water.
ii. Do we trust Jesus with our healing?
PRAYER and ANOINTING
SONG: Come Heal this Land
Matthew 14:22-33: (NLT)
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.