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Matthew 14:13-33 ESV
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
I. JESUS SEES US WITH COMPASSION (13-14)
A. Spent time in the wilderness for 2 reasons:
1. To avoid murder at hands of religious leaders and Herod.
2. To explain His death & resurrection to followers and their role in the future of His kingdom.
B. Huge crowds meet Jesus in wilderness making alone time hard. Jesus reacts w/ compassion.
C. Jesus met the needs of needy people and loved people who needed love. In giving us His mission, He has called us to do the same.
II. JESUS MEETS OUR NEEDS (15-21)
A. It gets late and there is no food. Jesus tells the 12 to feed the people and they forget to point all the reasons it is impossible.
B. Instead of trying to figure out how they were going to do it, the 12 should have asked how Jesus was going to do it through them.
C. Jesus makes the impossible, possible! 5,000 men are fed with plenty left over.
D. Jesus will ask you to do the impossible and you can trust Him to take care of you as you obey.
III. JESUS CALMS OUR FEARS (22-33)
A. Jesus immediately sends the crowd away to avoid being made king & to spend time in prayer.
B. Jesus walks to the disciples in their struggle and tells them not to be afraid because He is with them and He is God.
C. Convinced Jesus was God, Peter steps out. God calls us to dangerous waters & our conviction He is God convinces us to follow.
IV. THE PROMISES OF GOD
A. God makes BIG promises!
B. God KEEPS His big promises!
APPLICATION
1. Face your fears with prayer and intense focus upon Jesus.
2. Leap into the arms of Jesus because He will always catch you!