Introduction
Matthew 14:22–36: After feeding five thousand people (see 14:13–21 from yesterday’s reading), Jesus’s disciples get into a boat to go across the lake. Lake Galilee is situated in the northern part of the Jordan River Valley, and storms sweep across the lake due to its location surrounded by mountains. Their boat is out in the middle of the lake, tossed by waves and a strong wind. Jesus approaches the disciples, walking on the water. The reading concludes with Jesus and his disciples arriving at Gennesaret, a town on the northwestern shore of Lake Galilee, where he heals all who were brought to him.
Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 14:36 GNT
They begged him to let the sick at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.
Read
22 Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away. 23 After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; 24 and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.
25 Between three and six o’clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. 26 When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and screamed with fear.
27 Jesus spoke to them at once. “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don’t be afraid!”
28 Then Peter spoke up. “Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.”
29 “Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried.
31 At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?”
32 They both got into the boat, and the wind died down. 33 Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus. “Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
34 They crossed the lake and came to land at Gennesaret, 35 where the people recognized Jesus. So they sent for the sick people in all the surrounding country and brought them to Jesus. 36 They begged him to let the sick at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.
Reflect
What did Jesus do after sending the people away (verse 23)? What does this teach you about Jesus? How did the disciples react when they saw Jesus approaching them (verse 26)? What did he say to them (verse 27)? What did Peter ask of Jesus (verse 28)? What happened next? What did Jesus say to Peter (verse 31)? Have you ever experienced a time when you had doubts in relation to faith? If so, what did you learn from that?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are my true source of strength, and I place my trust in you. My faith is grounded in you. Strengthen my faith day by day and cast out doubts and fears. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Matthew 15:1–20: Jesus reveals what actually makes a person unclean.
