Sharper Iron — All Righteousness Fulfilled: Stay in the Boat with Jesus

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 14:22-36.

The question, “Who is Jesus?” dominates the text. Jesus dismisses the crowds after the feeding of the 5,000 in order to give His disciples a clearer answer to this question. He sends them ahead of Him in the boat while He spends time alone in prayer. Jesus exemplifies the teaching that He has given to His disciples. After some time, He comes to them on the Sea, walking to them. He intends to draw near to them as their Savior. The disciples’ fear is connected to their confusion concerning Jesus’ identity; they think He is a ghost. Jesus takes away their fear by identifying Himself to them; He is God in the flesh here to be their Savior. Peter, however, meets Jesus with doubt. He questions Jesus’ Word and asks to step out of the boat with Jesus. The Lord graciously agrees, and Peter walks on water to Jesus. He doubts yet again, however, taking his eyes off Jesus and beginning to sink. He rightly cries to Jesus for help, and the Lord quickly rescues His doubting disciple. Upon getting into the boat with the rest, the reaction is quick and astounding. They bow down in worship and acclaim Jesus as the Son of God, His true title that is seen fully in His death on the cross.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus Walks on the Water

²²Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but the boat by this time was a long way^[a] from the land,^[b] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. ²⁵And in the fourth watch of the night^[c] he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. ²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

²⁸And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind,^[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³²And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

³⁴And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. ³⁵And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick ³⁶and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Footnotes:

Matthew 14:24 Greek many stadia, a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
Matthew 14:24 Some manuscripts was out on the sea
Matthew 14:25 That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Matthew 14:30 Some manuscripts strong wind

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).