Jesus Hold My Hand; Matthew 14:28-33

 

I.                    Holding Hands

a.      Holding hands is a simple gesture that can provide a sense of connection and intimacy.

b.      Holding hands can express affection, comfort, warmth, pain release, safety, psychological closeness, and empathy.

                                                              i.      We often hold hands when in difficult situations for comfort and a sense of safety

1.      Watching a scary movie

2.      Walking down a dark street

c.       We get affection, comfort, warmth, pain release, safety, psychological closeness, and empathy from Jesus when we hold his hand

d.      “Blessed Jesus hold my hand”

II.                  Sinking Sand

a.      “As I travel through this pilgrim land there is a friend who walks with me. Leads me safely through the sinking sand, it is the Christ of Calvary”

b.      Life is full of valleys and mountains

c.       Valleys

                                                              i.      Hard times, full of pain, sorrow, and maybe even persecution

                                                             ii.      I imagine that Peter and the apostles were experiencing such a time on the water

                                                           iii.      Matthew 14:22–25 (ESV) 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

                                                           iv.      John tells us that they had rowed three or four miles

                                                             v.      Matthew tells us it is the fourth watch of the night, between 3 AM and 6 AM

                                                           vi.      John tells us the sea was rough because a strong wind was blowing

                                                         vii.      They are tired from rowing against the wind and waves

                                                       viii.      They are wet because of the sea spray every time the boat beats into a wave

                                                           ix.      Mark tells us that Jesus saw them and noticed that “they were making headway painfully”

1.      Jesus notices our pain

2.      He is compassionate and cares about us

                                                             x.      It took them all evening and most of the night to row 3-4 miles, but it took Jesus no time at all to walk to them (intending to pass by them)

                                                           xi.      Matthew 14:26 (ESV) 26 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.

d.      Mountains

                                                              i.      This is the point where their valley becomes a mountain

                                                             ii.      Matthew 14:27 (ESV) 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

                                                           iii.      In all three versions of this event (Matthew, Mark, and John) Jesus says, do not be afraid, I AM

                                                           iv.      Matthew 14:28–29 (ESV) 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

                                                             v.      We wonder why Peter would ask Jesus to allow him to walk on water

                                                           vi.      We may attribute Peter’s request to his ego or impetuousness (acting without thought or care)

                                                         vii.      The reason is found in Jesus’ statement, I AM

                                                       viii.      “This was true boldness of faith on Peter’s part, that strength of faith which knows and trusts that even natural impossibilities yield before the will, word, and power of Jesus.” [1]

                                                           ix.      Put yourself in Peter’s place for a minute (Matthew is the only one who records this event)

1.      Stepping out of the boat in rough weather, wind, and waves

2.      Realizing that you are standing on the sea

3.      Seeing the Great I AM and walking towards him

4.      What a spiritual mountain!

e.      Then comes the next valley

                                                              i.      Still in Peter’s places

1.      Realizing the wind

2.      Then understanding that you are standing on water!

                                                             ii.      He took his eyes of Jesus… and began to sink

f.        What a realization for us

                                                              i.      Keep your eyes on Jesus

                                                             ii.      Without Jesus, the world intrudes, we lose focus and begin to sink

                                                           iii.      Hebrews 12:1–2 (NASB95) 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

                                                           iv.      Too often we fix our eyes on our pain, or what we think is the fix to our pain

1.      Alcohol, drugs, work, separating ourselves from the ones who love us, etc.

2.      We find relief in the promises of God

3.      1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV) 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

4.      Paul is talking about death in this text, but we grieve over many things besides death

5.      1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

6.      This does not say that ‘God will not give us more than we can handle’

7.      2 Corinthians 1:8–10 (ESV) 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

                                                             v.      We find strength and purpose in the promises of God, especially the promise of salvation

g.      “This would be my prayer dear Lord, each day, to help me do the best I can. For I need thy light to guide me day and night, blessed Jesus hold my hand”

III.                Jesus, Hold my Hand

a.      “Hear my plea, my feeble plea. Lord, dear Lord look down on me. When I kneel in prayer, blessed Jesus hold my hand”

b.      God is with you in the valleys and the mountains

c.       Keep your eyes, your focus, on Jesus

d.      “Blessed Jesus, hold my hand. Yes I need thee every hour”

 

 


[1] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 573.