Lesson Four (Chapter 14)
He Walks on Water
“Then Job answered and said: ‘Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before G-d? If one wished to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. G-d is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered? He removes the mountains, and they do not know when He overturns them in His anger; He shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; He commands the sun, and it does not rise; He seals off the stars; He alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea.’”
Job 9:1-8
“Now in the fourth watch of the night Yeshua went to them, walking on the sea.”
Matthew 14:25
Introduction
- Last week we began to look at parables. We saw that parables are not allegories with deep hidden meanings. We saw that they are simple stories to make a singular point – to demand a decision.
- Because Yeshua's parables have simple points illustrates how the “wise” and “scholarly” of this world are stumped by the simplicity of His message or repentance.
- We saw that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is not “heaven” or “Eternal life” – but rather it is a relationship between the King, and His subject (s). Similarly, making the “Gospel” message about “going to heaven” is antithetical to the true Gospel message which is (paraphrased), “Return to G-d as your King because a relationship with Him is the most important thing for both now and for all eternity.”
- And this King walks on water…
It is not Lawful…
- Matt 14:4: Herod had married his brother’s wife. John had been bold enough to say that to do this was against the Torah. John was imprisoned for speaking against something that many today would have no problem with.
- Lev 18:16; 20:21: No where in the “New Testament” does it say it is immoral to have your brother’s wife. It doesn’t have to – because it says it in Torah.
- Prov 6:32: Only a fool does what Herod did.
- 1Cor 5:1-13: Where did Paul get “his morality”? Lev 18:8. Dealing with sin in the “community” is different from dealing with the sin of pagans. Herod and his wife were nominal Jews.
Feeding Bread to 5,000
- The frame of reference to the story of the feeding of the 5,000 is found in 14:1-13. Yeshua withdraws to a disserted place – and there the multitude gathers. This feeding is related to the Kingdom message that John had taught… “Repent…” It is a picture.
- Matt 14:14-21: Yeshua was motivated by compassion, but the preordained circumstances point to something.
- John 6:12-15: This miracle reveals His Messiahship, and that He is the Prophet that was promised.
- Matt 16:8-10: Yeshua also wants His talmidim to get another message as well from this miracle.
- 2Kings 4:42-44: Barley loaves again. Bread of the “First Fruits”. It appears that the purpose of this miracle is to draw us to the phrase, “They shall eat and have some left over.” The leftovers are important.
- Matt 14:17-20: Five barley loves, and two fish – feed 5,000. There are twelve baskets left over. Remember this.
Walking on Water
- Matt 14:22-33: Once again, the circumstances “on the Sea” have a preordained significance.
- 2Sam 22-5-7: Sheol and the sea are related.
- Jonah 2:3-10: Jonah’s stay of 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of the fish in the depths [t’hom is also Greek abyss] draw us to the significance of “walking on water” – it pointed to a mastery of death and the ultimate spiritual authority.
- Job 9:1-8: Only One can walk upon the waves!
- Matt 14:33: For the first time, they see there Master not “merely” as a future Davidic/Messianic King; or the Prophet. Now they see Him more clearly for Who He truly is – He is “Im anu El” – “G-d among us”.
The Tzitzit of the Master
- Mat 14:35-36: Healing by touching the kanaf [lit. “wing”] of His garment.
- Num 15:38-41: Tzitzit [“tassles”] were a “sign” command. Like “string around the finger” they were to remind them of G-d’s commandments, so that they would do them.
- It was not uncommon for the sick to want to touch the tzitzit of a one who lived righteously – their reasoning was that the they were a symbol of obedience, and thereby a place of blessing.
- Zech 8:23: Kanaf [hem, wing] with tzitzit attached will one day have significance again.
- Mal 4:2: Healing in His “wings” [kanaf].
Summary
- As we go through the narratives of Matthew, we are gradually being told exactly Who Yeshua is. For those of us who “know the rest of the story” we should be careful not to tire in the hearing and telling of these accounts. There are nuggets here to draw us deeper into relationship with the Master of the wind and the waves – the One Who walks on water – Who says to us all,
“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. Take courage.” Matthew 14:27
Chazak! Chazak! V’Nitchazeik! Be Strong! Be Strong! And let us all be strengthened!