Student Choice 3: Matthew 14:22–33. Walking on the Sea
miscellaneous resources / coloring page
Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them.
What did Peter’s response indicate about him?
According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?
What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?
This story fascinates me because it is so multifaceted, on many levels of understanding and symbolism. When we look at these circumstances in context, we observe there are many instances of emotional and physical turmoil and significant change.
In John 6:15 we read the people were so excited by the miracles of Jesus
that they were trying to take him by force to be the long promised Messiah they
thought would be a King giving them liberty. How little they understood. I
wonder, am I like them? What do I look to Jesus for? Do I seek only “bread,” relief
from physical maladies, and political freedoms? Significantly, he sends the multitudes seeking these things away!
As that long, hectic day ends, the story in John 6:17 tells us “it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.” Matthew 14:23 explains, “he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”
The disciples, on the sea, have an experience that is extremely frightening to them. I find great sympathy for them. They are experiencing so many new and astonishing things. They see the power of Jesus, yet they hear his teachings that he will subject himself to be slain. In the tumult of that time he again demonstrates clearly his glory and power, as well as his love and concern for them.
When Peter realizes it is Jesus, with absolute respect for the Master’s evidenced desire to be alone, he answered the command to “be not afraid” with the good cheer requested: “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Matthew 14: 28). Peter is completely obedient, AND then desires further to be with the Savior also. Am I content to only see the Savior or do I desire to personally be with Jesus Christ?
And Jesus answered Peter, as he does to each of us, “Come.” The gospels then bear record of the great faith of Peter; he does what no mortal before or since has done. Matthew 14:29 records, “And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”
When the Lord commands, and we believe, all things become possible.
Jesus, with Peter, returned to the ship and “when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased” (Matthew 14:32), and the disciples “willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” (John 6:21). When we “willingly” receive Jesus Christ, instead of being afraid, then we are at the destination ‘wither [we] go.’
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| Walking on Water by Brian Jekel |
Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them.
What did Peter’s response indicate about him?
According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?
What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?
Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life?
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| Jesus Walks on Water William Hole |
This story fascinates me because it is so multifaceted, on many levels of understanding and symbolism. When we look at these circumstances in context, we observe there are many instances of emotional and physical turmoil and significant change.
Jesus
had called his 12 apostles, given them [priesthood] power over devils and to
cure diseases (Luke 9:1), taught them carefully regarding these things, and
sent them 2x2 on missions. The disciples return to Him at the time of the
Passover exhausted, having just buried the headless body of John the Baptist. John’s
terrible experiences and death would have caused many questions and concerns
for each of them.
Mark
6: 31 tells us Jesus said, "Come . . . rest," since they had "no leisure so much as
to eat,” and they go, (by ship) with him to a "desert place apart"
(Matthew 14:13) - presumably to mourn. They
are, however, crowded and beset by the multitudes running to be where they are
going. Instead of resting, eating, and having privacy to mourn John's awful
death, they all continue their ministry. In this context, we read in all 4 gospels about the
miraculous feeding of the 5000 men, plus women and children (Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, and John 6), and about Jesus walking on the water
(Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 6).
(Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 6).
The
story begins just after the 5000 are fed. Matthew 14:22 tells us, “And straightway Jesus constrained his
disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while
he sent the multitudes away.”
As that long, hectic day ends, the story in John 6:17 tells us “it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.” Matthew 14:23 explains, “he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”
 |
| Jesus Walks On Water, by Ivan Aivazovsky (1888) |
The disciples, on the sea, have an experience that is extremely frightening to them. I find great sympathy for them. They are experiencing so many new and astonishing things. They see the power of Jesus, yet they hear his teachings that he will subject himself to be slain. In the tumult of that time he again demonstrates clearly his glory and power, as well as his love and concern for them.
Mark 6:47
And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the
land.
48
And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and
about the fourth watch of the night [between 3 and 6 a.m.] he cometh unto them,
walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49
But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit,
and cried out:
50
For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them,
and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51
And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore
amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
When Peter realizes it is Jesus, with absolute respect for the Master’s evidenced desire to be alone, he answered the command to “be not afraid” with the good cheer requested: “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Matthew 14: 28). Peter is completely obedient, AND then desires further to be with the Savior also. Am I content to only see the Savior or do I desire to personally be with Jesus Christ?
 |
| Christ Walking on the Water by Robert T. Barrett |
And Jesus answered Peter, as he does to each of us, “Come.” The gospels then bear record of the great faith of Peter; he does what no mortal before or since has done. Matthew 14:29 records, “And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”
When the Lord commands, and we believe, all things become possible.
In this
extremity, in the midst of the stormy darkness, Peter becomes afraid and has a
wavering doubt. Matthew 14: 28-31 records, “But when he saw the wind
boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save
me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said
unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt."
I look in my own heart. There are many
fears and doubts condemning my faith. When I am sinking in darkness and fear, can
I learn to be like Peter and cry out “Lord, save me”? Matthew witnesses that the
Lord will take me by the hand immediately if I will call out to Him, and will
lift me by also teaching me to trust Him with good cheer.
 |
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Twelve teaches, “Come to an honest, open
self-examination, an awareness within as to who and what [you] want to be. . .
. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants [you] have made … [Your] main goal
should be to seek ‘immortality and
eternal life’. . . Eliminate from [your life] the things that clamor for
and consume [your] thoughts, feelings, and energies without contributing to . .
.‘immortality and eternal life’ (Moses 1:39). . . Just do the very best you can each day. Do the basic things and,
[soon you will know] that your Heavenly Father loves you. . . Then life will be
full of purpose and meaning, making balance easier to maintain.” Elder Ballard reminds us that we can conquer difficult
experiences. He counsels, “Failure is only when you quit trying...if you
keep working at a task and try to do what's right and honest, ultimately it
works out." (Elder M. Russell
Ballard “True
to the Faith,” by Kathleen Lubeck, March 1986 Ensign)
Henry B Eyring,
First Counselor in the First Presidency, teaches, “The Savior’s only motivation
was to help people. . . .If you [serve] for the Lord to bless others, He will
see and reward it. If you do this often enough and long enough, you will feel a
change in your very nature through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. . . .” “Where
Is The Pavilion?” October 2012.
President Eyring also teaches, “Sometimes we will receive counsel that we cannot understand or that seems not to apply to us, even after careful prayer and thought. Don’t discard the counsel, but hold it close. If someone you trusted handed you what appeared to be nothing more than sand with the promise that it contained gold, you might wisely hold it in your hand awhile, shaking it gently. Every time I have done that with counsel from a prophet, after a time the gold flakes have begun to appear and I have been grateful. The Lord said, ‘Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers’" (D&C 112:10, emphasis mine, Elder Henry B Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Finding Safety in Counsel” April 1997).
President Eyring also teaches, “Sometimes we will receive counsel that we cannot understand or that seems not to apply to us, even after careful prayer and thought. Don’t discard the counsel, but hold it close. If someone you trusted handed you what appeared to be nothing more than sand with the promise that it contained gold, you might wisely hold it in your hand awhile, shaking it gently. Every time I have done that with counsel from a prophet, after a time the gold flakes have begun to appear and I have been grateful. The Lord said, ‘Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers’" (D&C 112:10, emphasis mine, Elder Henry B Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Finding Safety in Counsel” April 1997).
Doctrine and Covenants
88: 67 promises that “if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled
with light, and there shall be no darkness in you.” When we are filled with
trust in the power and glory of Christ, when we believe His teachings and
genuinely trust his power, and recognize his glory doubt and fear will be
replaced with “light [that] comprehendeth
all things.” We will be able to live in “good cheer” and cease to be
afraid.
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| Walking on Faith by Benjamin McPherson |
Jesus, with Peter, returned to the ship and “when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased” (Matthew 14:32), and the disciples “willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” (John 6:21). When we “willingly” receive Jesus Christ, instead of being afraid, then we are at the destination ‘wither [we] go.’
Doctrine and Covenants
88: 68 details this process, “Therefore,
sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will
come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall
be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.”
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