BIBLE IN TEN

Matthew 14:32

Friday, 5 December 2025
 
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:32
 
“And they, having gone into the boat, it ceased – the wind” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus stretched out His hand to retrieve Peter from sinking. At the same time, He told him his faith was little and asked why he doubted. The narrative continues with astonishing words, “And they, having gone into the boat, it ceased – the wind.”
 
A new word is seen, kopazó, to tire. Figuratively, it then means to relax and thus to cease. All three of its uses will be in relation to the wind dying down. One can see that the wind and waves were for the instruction of the disciples. If Jesus wanted to, He could have ceased the winds earlier.
 
Likewise, He could have let the storm wear itself out and then started across the sea. But He departed from the area of the feeding of the five thousand while it was still stormy, at a point when the men had been straining to cross for a long time.
 
Peter, despite his bravado, would have been tired from the long day and then the long, difficult night. His ability to focus and keep up a faithful spirit would have been diminished. All such things came into play as he croaked out to Jesus to rescue him on the water.
 
Once Peter’s faith and ability to focus on the Object of his desire were shown to be weak, the storm was no longer needed. The winds that had distracted him gave way to calmness.
 
Life application: This account conveys a truth that we should all be aware of and prepared for. When our minds and bodies are tired, we can get more irritable, misdirected, prone to making mistakes, and even prone to sin, each depending on the surrounding circumstances.
 
When we are in such a state, we should remind ourselves to act carefully, respond to circumstances or to others circumspectly, and ask the Lord to guide us in whatever is set before us.
 
The main thing to remember is to be determined to fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus. The storms around us and the weariness that results from them will weaken our resolve. If we are not in a condition to go forward, we should have the wisdom to tell ourselves this or to let those we are in the battle with know that we they are not capable of handling the challenge.
 
This, rather than barging ahead and relying on our own strength, is a display of wisdom. As Clint Eastwood said in one of his movies, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” When we fail to know our limitations and work within them, only disaster will result.
 
“When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. 16 Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, ‘You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.’” 2 Samuel 21:15-17
 
David’s son, Solomon, wrote that there is a time for everything under the sun. It is ok to understand that there are times to act and times to refrain from acting if we are incapable of doing so. If we fail in this, we may damage our testimony or bring harm to ourselves or others.
 
Lord God, give us wisdom to walk in this world in tune with who we are and with our eyes fixed steadily on Jesus. When we cannot be effective in what we plan to do, give us the wisdom to see this. If You will strengthen us for the task, we can proceed. But if it is time to step back from it, help us to know this as well. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
 

Matthew 14:31

Thursday, 4 December 2025
 
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
 
“And immediately, Jesus, having extended the hand, He seized him, and He says to him, ‘Little-faithed! Into why – you doubted?’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Peter saw the tumultuous wind and became afraid. Along with that, he began to sink, calling out to Jesus to save him. It next says, “And immediately, Jesus, having extended the hand, He seized him.”
 
A new word, epilambanomai, to seize the hand, is seen here. It is derived from epi, upon, and lambanó, to take. Thus, it is to seize upon. Peter is in the process of sinking. Jesus is firmly fixed on the top of the water, and so He reaches down to Peter to rescue him.
 
The scene is amazing to contemplate. It defies the sense of logic that each of us would normally consider. Despite being completely out of the ordinary, there is no reason to assume that it is impossible. Not understanding how something works does not mean that it doesn’t actually work. With Jesus reaching out to Peter, it next says, “and He says to him, ‘Little-faithed!’”
 
It is a sentiment He uses elsewhere. In Peter’s case, his faith allowed him to step out of the boat and begin walking, but it didn’t keep him from being distracted in obtaining the goal. One can see that faith in something isn’t the entire scope of the matter. Peter lacked faith in all directions at once. That is seen in the next words, “Into why – you doubted?”
 
Peter’s faith said, “I see Jesus, I can get to Him.” Hence, he started out on the water. However, once he took his eyes off the Object of his faith, he saw the boisterous wind and lacked faith that he could overcome it.
 
As noted in the previous commentary, it isn’t that Peter lacked faith. Rather, it became misdirected and overwhelmed by another issue he wasn’t confident he could handle. As such, Jesus says he doubted.
 
Life application: As can be seen, faith comes in varying degrees, but it also has to overcome many side challenges to be effective. If we were to extend the scenario in which Peter is in, we could add lightning, sharks, a pirate vessel (arrr matey), and other obstacles to his ability to stay afloat.
 
At what point will Peter’s faith crack? As long as he keeps his eyes on the Object, Jesus, the other challenges would not be able to affect him. But that may be hard to do when a resounding bolt of lightning crashs between the two of them. In an instant, Peter’s faith in his ability to continue without being killed by lightning might falter, and down he would go.
 
However, maybe the lightning flashes so brilliantly that it highlights Jesus in an exceptional way, actually boosting his faith. However, the pirate ship was able to spot him in the flash and sends off a round from a cannon. Peter sees the giant splash as the pirates adjust their cannon for another shot, and down he goes.
 
Each thing that distracts us from the goal we are set on attaining has its own faith challenge that we must overcome. Apply that thought to your own life. You want to do a particular thing. You know you are fully competent to do it. And yet, the side issues each bring a challenge that your faith in yourself or your abilities says, “I don’t think I can do that.”
 
How do we overcome such things? The answer is to keep our eyes on the Object of our faith. If what you are pursuing is sanctioned by the Lord, you have to know that it will come to pass. But if you continuously allow life’s distractions that cause you to lack faith in the challenge they present, you will never attain your goal.
 
You don’t really need to have all the confidence in the world concerning all things, though. You are finite, and it isn’t possible to adjust to every scenario that will arise in the course of time. Rather, you need to have confidence that Jesus can handle them.
 
If Peter said, “I can’t handle the sharks, lightning, or pirates, but I know Jesus has said I can come to Him. Therefore, I will make it to Him,” then he would have prevailed. This is why Paul says what he says in Philippians –
 
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12, 13
 
Let us have faith that if we are working in accord with the will of the Lord, we will prevail in what we desire to do. If it isn’t, then it will not come to pass. This isn’t a fatalistic attitude. Rather, we are to strive for what we want but know that the Lord may not want it for us. If we don’t strive to obtain the goal, it will certainly never be realized.
 
Lord God, help us in our faith. It gets challenged from ten thousand angles at a time, and we get distracted from the goal we are trying to attain. Help us to focus on the fact that You are with us in what we do. Because of Jesus, if it is meant to come about, it will. The side issues will never thwart what You have approved. Help us to remember this. Amen.
 

Matthew 14:30

Wednesday, 3 December 2025
 
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30
 
“And seeing the forcible wind, he feared, and having begun to submerge, he croaked, saying, ‘Lord, You save me!’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Peter came down from the boat and commenced walking to Jesus. Matthew next records, “And seeing the forcible wind, he feared.”
 
It is the standard error that believers find themselves in to this day. What does it take to see the forcible wind? Follow the sequence of events:
 
Jesus: “You embolden! I, I am! You fear not!”Peter: “Lord, if You – You are – You command me to come to You upon the waters.”Jesus: “And He said, “You come!”Peter: He walked upon the waters to come unto Jesus.Peter: And seeing the forcible wind.
 
Jesus is the Object. Peter sees Jesus and petitions Him. Jesus directs Peter to come. Peter comes, looking at Jesus. Peter... takes his eyes off Jesus, “and having begun to submerge, he croaked.”
 
A new word is seen here, katapontizó, to plunge down, and thus to submerge. It is derived from kata, down against, and the same root as the area known as Pontus found in Acts 2:9 and 1 Peter 1:1. This word will only be seen again in Matthew 18:6.
 
Peter got distracted from what is most important. Jesus was the target to obtain. In allowing the distractions to take his eyes off the goal, his attention was likewise distracted. With his attention distracted, he was no longer mentally focused on what allowed him to walk on the water in the first place. Because of this, he cried out, “saying, ‘Lord, You save me!’”
 
Again, it is the standard response believers make in hopes of correcting their own blunders to this day: Believer is focused on Jesus. Believer takes his eyes off of Jesus and gets caught up in an infraction of the law, a particular sin, etc. Believer is now in a bad, bad pickle, finding no way of fixing his own slip-up. And so, believer croaks in his soul and to Jesus, “Help me! Help me, Lord Jesus!”
 
Life application: One of the most important thoughts for believers recorded in the New Testament is found in the first few words of Hebrews 12:2 –
 
“Eyeballing unto the ‘the faith Pioneer and Perfecter,’ Jesus” (CG). Scholars repeatedly say that Peter’s error was a lack of faith. And it is true that Jesus will call him ‘little-faithed’ in the next verse. But Peter had faith, even if it was little. That was not the immediate problem. Rather, Peter took his eyes off of the Object of his faith.
 
The pastor who has been faithfully preaching to his congregation for many years may have amazing faith, but when he meets with a woman for counseling, his eyes may be misdirected from Jesus. At such a time, calamity may be just around the corner. It happened to David, and none of us is above such a lapse of judgment.
 
Along with Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 3:1 says, “Thence, holy brothers – heavenly calling participants, you scrutinize the Apostle and High Priest, our confession, Jesus!”
 
We are not just to look in the direction of Jesus, we are to eyeball Him and to scrutinize Him, mentally considering Him at all times. When we fail to do this, we begin to sink into the troubled seas around us. In 1 Chronicles 29, David, a man who understood what it meant to take his eyes off the Lord and to sink into sin, petitioned the Lord for just this type of determination for His flock –
 
“O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.”
 
Should we have any less of a heart? If not, then let us pray for such fixed determination. And while we are asking for our own strength, let us remember our fellow believers, those in our church, our pastors and teachers, and anyone else who comes to mind.
 
May we learn to direct our attention to Jesus, always remembering the sacred words of Scripture, “Eyeballing unto the ‘the faith Pioneer and Perfecter,’ Jesus” (CG). Nothing else will do. All else will lead to a sad set of circumstances that may jeopardize our lives, our relationships, and our witness for the Lord Jesus.
 
Lord God, we are weak and frail creatures who need to constantly focus our hearts and souls on You. We should always scrutinize Jesus as if looking over the finest gem or most beautiful flower, considering every detail of His majesty. Help us to be focused on Him at all times. In this, we will be in the right frame of mind to handle all challenges we face. Amen.

Matthew 14:29

Tuesday, 2 December 2025
 
So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. Matthew 14:29
 
“And He said, ‘You come!’ And having descended from the boat, Peter, he walked upon the waters to come unto Jesus” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Peter emphatically challenged Jesus that if it was Him, to command Peter also to come to Him on the waters. In response, we read Matthew’s continued words, “And He said, ‘You come!’”
 
The response is immediate. There was no “Wait, I wasn’t ready,” or “Sorry Peter, I didn’t bring enough miracle juice for two people.” Rather, the command was confident that Peter could and should come out to Him. Therefore, it next says, “And having descended from the boat.”
 
Imagine being on the waters as the waves slammed against the boat. The meaning is that the boat’s buoyancy allowed for the hull to be partly submerged in the water while the rest remained above the water. It wasn’t that the entire boat just sat on top of the water as if it were sitting on an ice bed.
 
In other words, the laws of nature were working as they should. The water surrounding the boat was unchanged, and the boat was doing what boats do. And yet, Peter descended from the boat, which was in, not on top of, the water, and was able to stand on the water without sinking.
 
The change, therefore, was in Peter, not in the water. This is evidenced with the next words, “Peter, he walked upon the waters.”
 
The words don’t say how long this occurred. They also don’t record the distance, be it ten feet or fifty. Jesus was close enough to be heard, but far enough to necessitate Peter’s effort to walk to Him. The testimony, however, declares that Peter did walk on the water. With that understanding, it next says, “to come unto Jesus.”
 
There is a slight difference in the texts here. Some say, “he came to Jesus,” others say, “to come to Jesus.” The writers of the Pulpit Commentary, having obviously been in the boat with the disciples, say –
 
“To go to Jesus; rather, and came to Jesus (Westcott and Hort; cf. margin of Revised Version). The true text states what did, in fact, happen, notwithstanding Peter's lack of faith (cf. ver. 31).”
 
Because verse 31 says that Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and caught him, the Pulpit Commentary has deduced that Peter must have made it all the way to Jesus. How they can conclude that this is the “true text” based on that, while dismissing the contents of verse 30, is exceptional. While Peter was distracted with the waves, Jesus could have taken three steps toward him.
 
Life application: As has been noted in the past, take all commentaries on the Bible with a grain of salt until you think through what is being said. For the Pulpit Commentary to state that the Westcott and Hort text is the true text based on a couple of words that may or may not have been properly thought through is damaging.
 
Nobody is going to lose his salvation over this. Whether Peter got to Jesus or was still on his way to Jesus isn’t going to change someone’s life or the direction of his life. But for the commentators to adamantly claim that one is the true text immediately dismisses the other text. What if that is the true text? They have now determined that what isn’t God’s word has replaced God’s word!
 
That is not a sound attitude, nor is it a good place to be when we all must stand before the Lord and give an account for the lives we have lived. If we were not in the boat with the disciples, or flying a drone over the event, filming it while it was taking place, then we should reserve stating adamant words about texts as the Pulpit Commentary has done.
 
Only when there is no dispute in the text is there a reason to be adamant about what the text says. But even then, we need to be sure about our claims. After two thousand years of people looking over the word, new insights come up all the time, opening our eyes to new parallels, patterns, and points that may have never been considered before.
 
Lord God, it is beyond our imagination that we could just step onto the local body of water and tread on it as if it were dry land. But Jesus did it, and Peter did for a short span as well. How little our faith must be that we cannot do what You allowed Peter to do without a moment’s hesitation! Strengthen us in our walk of faith, O God. Amen.

Matthew 14:28

Monday, 1 December 2025
 
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Matthew 14:28
 
“And having answered Him, Peter, he said, ‘Lord, if You – You are – You command me to come to You upon the waters’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus called out to the disciples on the boat to be emboldened, for He is! He implored them not to fear. In response to this, the impetuous Peter needs evidence of what his eyes see. Therefore, Matthew records, “And having answered Him, Peter.”
 
Regardless of how many disciples there were on the boat, it is Peter who needed to be given the proof that would ease his suspicious mind concerning the phantasm who claimed to be Jesus. Therefore, Matthew’s words continue, “he said, ‘Lord, if You – You are – You command me to come to You upon the waters.’”
 
Notice how Peter’s words, though respectfully stated with the word “Lord,” challenge the declaration made by Jesus –
 
*...Jesus, He spoke to them, saying, “You embolden! I, I am! You fear not!”
 
*...Peter, he said, “Lord, if You – You are – You command me to come to You upon the waters.”
 
Of these words, the Pulpit Commentary says, “Not ‘bid me walk on the water;’ for he does not want to perform a miracle, but to come to Jesus.” This is entirely incorrect. Peter uses the word keleuó, command, to signify that he desires the same ability that Jesus displays. If this was a sign of “impulsive love” for Jesus, as their commentary later states, the reaction would have been the same as is recorded in John 21:7 –
 
“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.”
 
Peter wants proof of what his eyes refuse to believe. This is the reason for the word if, the emphatic challenge, and for the Lord to command him to do as was being done by Him.
 
Life application: Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 1 Corinthians says –
 
“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
 
The Bible sets a contrast between faith and sight, between belief and tangible evidence. Peter even had sight and sound, but it was not enough for him to accept. He wanted a personal sign to confirm to him that Jesus was really the One who had approached them and spoken to them.
 
What are you looking for to be assured of the faith you profess? Charismatic churches need proof of faith through the speaking of tongues. How can that be a proof of faith? If you have tangible evidence of something, you no longer have faith, but the surety of the experience.
 
They claim that if you don’t speak in tongues, you don’t have the filling of the Spirit. It is a false, damaging system of expectancy and contrived piety that dismisses the fundamental tenet of Christianity, salvation by grace through faith.
 
Be careful what you believe. Stick to the Bible, have faith in what it says, and confirm that faith by accepting Jesus’ full, final, finished, and forever work on your behalf. In this, you will be pleasing to God.
 
Lord God, how good it is to know with all surety that we are saved through the work of Jesus Christ. We don’t need more. Evidence and proof will come when You come for us. Until then, we have the words of Scripture. It is sufficient for our souls. Thank You for the words of surety that You have given to us. Amen.

Matthew 14:27

Sunday, 30 November 2025
 
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
 
“And immediately, Jesus, He spoke to them, saying, ‘You embolden! I, I am! You fear not!’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, the disciples in the boat cried out because they thought they were seeing a phantasm as Jesus walked on the water. With that noted, Matthew next says, “And immediately, Jesus, He spoke to them.”
 
In hearing the voice, there would be an immediate quelling of the anxiety they felt. It would lift the hours of struggling against the waves off of their shoulders. That, and the fright of the apparition, would be immediately forgotten and replaced with a sense of hope, awe, and rejoicing all at the same time. Of His words, Matthew records His emphatic declaration, “saying, ‘You embolden! I, I am! You fear not!’”
 
Because the New Testament was penned in Greek, it is unknown just what words Jesus spoke. However, it is the same phrase, egó eimi, recorded in John 8:58, “Jesus, He said to them, ‘Amen, amen! I say to you before Abraham became, I, I Am!’” (CG).  In the Greek, it is an emphatic proclamation of existence.
 
In John 8, it is combined with the words “before Abraham,” and so the intent is understood. Jesus was affirming His existence extended to the time before Abraham existed. While on the Sea of Galilee, even if He was simply affirming that it was He walking to them, they would have to wonder about His nature.
 
Man does not simply walk on water. This truth would be multiplied when the water was raging all around them. And yet, Jesus, the living, breathing Man they had traveled with, was walking on the water. The thought would have astonished their minds as much as the voice had calmed them.
 
Life application: In an earlier commentary, Job 9:8 was cited, where it noted that the Lord (Yehovah) walks on the waves of the sea. That could easily be dismissed as a type of poetic proclamation by Job, but the fact that the New Testament gospels agree on the substance of Jesus walking on the water forms a clear and intentional clue that is being handed to us on a silver platter that Jesus is the Lord (Yehovah) of the Old Testament.
 
As walking on the water is something that is contrary to the natural way things occur for humans, we see that somehow Jesus either suspended the natural laws, or He was able to work with them in a way that we cannot understand.
 
It is true that there are certain animals that can walk on the water, such as the water strider insect and the basilisk lizard. There are certain birds, like the jacana and grebe, as well as some mammals and spiders, that can walk on water or floating vegetation. These use adaptations like large feet or specialized leg hairs.
 
However, there is the truth that Jesus is not an insect, lizard, or bird. There would be no floating vegetation in the raging Sea of Galilee to walk on as well. Even if man someday is able to develop a suit that allows him to walk on the water, it doesn’t negate the fact that Jesus did this two thousand years ago without any future technology that may be developed.
 
If “science is thinking God's thoughts after Him,” as the 17th-century astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler said, and if we were to develop such technology, what would that say about Jesus? Obviously, it would be a testament to the fact that Jesus is... anyone? Yes, Jesus is God.
 
This truth is so plainly on display in the pages of Scripture that its denial is a fundamental denial of the gospel. Man cannot rise from the dead. Jesus rose from the dead. Therefore, Jesus is God. To deny this tenet is to deny the truth of God in Christ. If you are struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ, you need to let your struggles go. What God is looking for is faith.
 
People of faith are what please Him. Those who have faith in the truth of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us will be saved. Those who continue in their faith, conducting their lives and actions in faith, will be rewarded for the things they do. Be a person of faith.
 
Lord God Almighty, we accept the truth of Your word. You have proclaimed that Jesus came from You and returned to You. We believe that He is God incarnate who lived the life we could not live, died on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins, was interred in a tomb, and rose again, just as Your word proclaims. We believe! Hallelujah and Amen.

Matthew 14:26

Saturday, 29 November 2025
 
And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. Matthew 14:26
 
“And the disciples, having seen Him walking upon the sea, they were agitated, saying that it is a phantasm. And from fear, they croaked” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, it was noted that Jesus walked on the sea to get to the disciples who were in the boat. Continuing that thought, Matthew next records, “And the disciples, having seen Him walking upon the sea, they were agitated.”
 
The words here clearly indicate that the words in the previous verse, which said that Jesus was “walking upon the sea,” were not a way of saying that He was walking along the shore. It meant that He was walking on the water across the sea.
 
The disciples are in the boat being hurled about by wind and waves. Even if they could see a person walking on the shore, their reaction would have been that there was a person simply walking upon the shore. Instead, their reaction is stated by Matthew. He notes that they were “saying that it is a phantasm.”
 
This is a new word, phantasma, a phantasm, specter, etc. The word is derived from phantazó, to make apparent or to appear. As such, it is specifically an appearing or a showing. It had been universally understood since the creation of the world that a human could not walk on water. Rather, when a person encounters water, he sinks into it.
 
Therefore, the logic is that whatever was walking towards them could not be a human. Of this, Bengel says, “We often take Christ for another rather than for Christ.” That is an unsound analogy for what is happening here. Being something absolutely unheard of, anyone at that point would miss what was happening.
 
Only in looking back on the event could we dare to think we would consider what occurred any differently. A natural assumption would be that whatever they were seeing was anything but Jesus. As such, it says, “And from fear, they croaked.”
 
People try to explain things that they cannot mentally process in various ways. They may claim they saw an angel, a vision of Mary, a UFO, or the boogeyman. If the unknown is close enough to us or heading in our direction, the natural reaction is one of fear and even crying out in fear.
 
Because of their own Scriptures, a story from their past that would have been remembered by any child would have been the account of the raising of the spirit of Samuel in 1 Samuel 28. When that occurred, it said –
 
“Then the woman said, ‘Whom shall I bring up for you?’And he said, ‘Bring up Samuel for me.’”12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, ‘Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!’13 And the king said to her, ‘Do not be afraid. What did you see?’And the woman said to Saul, ‘I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth.’” 1 Samuel 28:11-13
 
Knowing from their own Scriptures that such things were possible, there is no reason to look down on their reaction here. However, the difference between what they think they are seeing and what they are actually seeing will be made evident to them.
 
Life application: Just because the Bible acknowledges that there are things such as the raising of Samuel’s spirit recorded there, it doesn’t mean that it is something we should be focusing on. That account describes what occurred, but it prescribes nothing.
 
We are admonished to keep our eyes on Jesus, not get involved in the world of the supernatural. There is nothing in the epistles that instructs us, for example, on casting out demons. Even if Jesus and the disciples did this, no further instruction is given to us concerning the matter.
 
And yet, some ministries focus a great deal of their attention on the realm of the supernatural. Others, like the Roman Catholic church, have set up rites and rituals to supposedly cast out evil spirits.
 
Such approaches to these things are unbiblical and have no bearing on reality. If someone is demon-possessed, tell that person about Jesus. A demon cannot possess what belongs to Jesus. If that person receives Christ, the demon must depart. This is why the epistles don’t address such things. The gospel is our tool for converting lives. Anything else is a waste of time, energy, and spiritual direction.
 
Lord God, help us to have the desire to tell others about the saving message of Jesus. Without it, all is futile in the human soul. But when it is received by faith, it can and will change even the greatest sinner and heal the greatest spiritual wounds. May we remember this and be willing to share this good news. Amen.

Matthew 14:25

Friday, 28 November 2025
 
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25
 
“And the night’s fourth guarding, Jesus, He departed unto them, walking upon the sea” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, it was noted that the boat the disciples were in was in the middle of the sea, being tossed by the waves. Next, Matthew records some of the most incredible words imaginable, beginning with, “And the night’s fourth guarding.”
 
It is the same word, phulaké, found in Matthew 5:25, translated there as prison. It signifies a guarding. As someone is in prison, he is obviously being guarded. In this case, it refers to the divisions of the night. Ellicott explains the term –
 
“The Jews, since their conquest by Pompeius, had adopted the Roman division of the night into four watches, and this was accordingly between 3 A.M. and 6 A.M., in the dimness of the early dawn.”
 
Jesus had remained on the mountain praying for hours while the disciples struggled to stay afloat in the tempest that had arisen. Despite their efforts, they had only gone about halfway across the sea. It was during this time that “Jesus, He departed unto them.”
 
There is immediately a sense of curiosity in the words. It is very early in the morning hours, the narrative has already said that the disciples were straining in the sea to get to the other side, and yet, Matthew notes Jesus departing to them.
 
If the words finished there, one might think Jesus would walk on a path near the shore to meet them in the spot where they were headed. However, Matthew dismisses that option, saying, “walking upon the sea.”
 
The words here, combined with the words to come, along with the other gospel accounts, leave no option except that “walking on (upon) the water of the sea” is intended. It cannot mean “walking on the shore of the sea,” something seemingly possible from the immediate wording, as if the shore were being used as a way of explaining a walk on the sea.
 
However, they are in the midst of the sea (25 or 30 stadia) from shore. In a tempest, they would not see Jesus walking on the shore, nor could they have a conversation with Him, as will be the case. It cannot mean Jesus swam. The Greek word kolumbaó, to plunge into the water (and thus to swim), would have been used.
 
But more directly, only a lunatic would start swimming across a cold, 7-mile-wide lake in the middle of a raging tempest, particularly in fresh water, which is not as buoyant as salt water. Even the hardiest swimmer would likely perish from such an attempt. And, again, the surrounding narrative makes such suggestions impossible.
 
Rather, Jesus was giving a hint concerning His nature by doing what He is doing. The words of Job explain the matter –
 
“He stretching – heavens, to His separation,And walking upon elevations – sea.” Job 9:8 (CG)
 
To paraphrase Job’s words, “Yehovah stretches out the heavens all by Himself, and He walks upon the waves of the sea.” Matthew, Mark, and John each testify to the accuracy of the account. The Lord God, Yehovah, walked upon the wavy Sea of Galilee in the early morning hours to attend to His disciples.
 
Life application: Over the millennia, there have been many skeptics who have tried to conjure up reasons why the text doesn’t really say what it says concerning the account of Jesus walking upon the sea.
 
A few years ago, the ridiculous explanation was that the meeting of the winds as they rushed through the Arbel Pass with the waters of the Sea of Galilee formed blocks of ice that allowed Jesus to walk on the sea. Even a mentally challenged farm boy could find a dozen reasons why such a thought is ridiculous.
 
And yet, when it was proposed, it made the news around the world, as if someone had finally found a reason why the Bible should not be trusted concerning this miracle. Actually, however, for Jesus to surf on a block of ice, or to walk on various blocks of ice until He reached the disciples, would be more of a miracle than anything any person had ever seen in human history.
 
It would just be another form of a miracle. But the wording in the gospels doesn’t allow for such idiocy. Rather, the disciples truly believed what they saw. They jointly testified to the matter, and their testimony stands. As the judicial apologist Simon Greenleaf says –
 
“Every document, apparently ancient, coming from the proper repository or custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forgery, the law presumes to be genuine, and devolves on the opposing party the burden of proving it to be otherwise.”
 
The burden of the proof is up to those who dismiss the words of Scripture. To this date, after two thousand years of trying, no such proof has come forward.
 
Have faith in the word. Have faith in Jesus, who is Yehovah incarnate. The word of God testifies to this fact.
 
O God, You can do all things. The fact that You walked upon the waters of the Sea of Galilee should come as no surprise because of this. We know Your word is truth. What it proclaims is sound and reasonable when we consider who Jesus is. May we have faith in what it says, holding fast to the record as it has been given. Amen.
 

Matthew 14:24

Thursday, 27 November 2025
 
But the boat was now [b]in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Matthew 14:24
 
“And the boat: already it was amidst the sea being tormented by the waves, for the wind, it was contrary” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus dismissed the multitudes and then went up on the mountain alone and prayed alone. Matthew next says, “And the boat, already it was amidst the sea.”
 
In John’s gospel, he records that the boat was about 25 or 30 stadia. This equates to 3 or 4 miles. The width of the sea varies, but it is about 7 miles across. Therefore, they were literally in the sea’s midst. While they were in this spot, it says they were “being tormented by the waves.”
 
This wasn’t the case as they left. Rather, John also records, “The sea arose because a great wind was blowing.” This is a phenomenon seen in the Sea of Galilee. The winds off the Mediterranean coast blow inland.
 
As they reach the mountains, there is a pass, the Arbel pass (aka the Valley of the Doves or Wadi Hamam), where they are compressed. This pass is a particular geographical feature located to the west of the Sea of Galilee, bordered by Mount Arbel to the south and Mount Nitai to the north. This east-west-oriented valley funnels air from the Mediterranean Sea towards the lower-lying Sea of Galilee.
 
The cold wind rushes at an increased speed and blows toward the sea. This meets the warmer air rising from the lake. This then causes the waves to suddenly jump in size. The storms can come on with almost no notice and change the face of the sea in mere minutes. This is what occurred as these men took their boat across. As it says, “for the wind, it was contrary.”
 
With such a sea having arisen, there would be very little the men could do. The chaotic waves and winds would leave even the hardiest of men terrified.
 
Life application: It is with all certainty that Jesus knew the men would face this contrary wind as they crossed. The narrative is purposeful in this regard. But such things serve a greater purpose in helping us to understand who Jesus is and what His intent for His people is. Therefore, the men were allowed to undergo this arduous trial to learn and to pass the event on in their writings.
 
When we encounter life’s storms, we should take time to evaluate the circumstances and attempt to discover what God would have us learn from them. This doesn’t mean only literal storms, such as tornados and hurricanes, although those too can affect us. Rather, we may face storms of trials such as financial woes, interpersonal conflicts, etc.
 
We may also be the target of a robbery or some other situation that causes us to question our lives. When such times arise, taking time to reevaluate our lives and priorities can change our direction. This is what wise people will do. They will consciously evaluate the circumstances and see how their lives might be better directed toward the Lord.
 
From what may seem a terrible ordeal, good things can arise. As long as we look for the guiding hand of the Lord through them, we will normally find that what occurred had a purpose we never expected. The apostles certainly had time in their lives to evaluate that terrifying night on the Sea of Galilee.
 
Some of them wrote about it. One of them ultimately seems to have not learned a thing from it. What a vast difference between the outcomes of their lives as they took in the ministry of Jesus and evaluated their lives and the events that happened in relation to it.
 
Glorious God, even though we may not enjoy the troubles and trials that arise in our lives, we may find that good came out of them in ways we never expected. Help us to have a positive attitude that seeks out the knowledge that Your gracious hand rested upon us, even as we endured such times. Amen.

Matthew 14:23

Wednesday, 26 November 2025
 
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. Matthew 14:23
 
“And having dismissed the crowds, He ascended to the mountain, off alone, to pray. And evening, having arrived, He was there solo” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus compelled the disciples to get in the boat and cross to the other side while He dismissed the crowds. Next, Matthew records, “And having dismissed the crowds.”
 
It isn’t known how Jesus did this, meaning with a word of encouragement and then prayer, but that is likely. John 6 notes that some wanted to make Him king by force. His redirecting them back to the Lord God as their true King, and through prayer, demonstrating that He was on a spiritual mission, may have quelled that among them.
 
Mark 6 notes that He sent them away. The day was long, and the walk to return would add to it. Therefore, some may even have slept under the stars, waiting till the next day to return home. Having an evening outside with a bonfire would be a nice cap to the wonderful day spent in the open with Jesus. If so, this would be an added reason for the next words, “He ascended to the mountain, off alone to pray.”
 
Whether He was removing Himself from all of the crowds as they departed, or if some were laying out mats to sleep on, there were still people there. This necessitated Him to ascend the mountain. Or it may be that ascending the mountain was keeping in accord with the traditions of meeting God on the high places that were instilled in the people’s thinking, and a point which permeates the Hebrew Scriptures.
 
This would be in line with the transfiguration, which occurred on a mountain as well. Whatever other reason may be involved, Jesus went up in order to find solace and to pray. Matthew next records, “And evening, having arrived.”
 
This would be the second evening of what is known as “between the evenings,” explained in Matthew 14:15. This would be the evening of the light when the day transitions into night. At this time, it says, “He was there solo.”
 
Nobody had followed Him up the mountain, disturbing His time of prayer alone. These words of Matthew had to come from somewhere, so either an eyewitness saw that Jesus went up alone, or that Jesus had specifically told him this was the case.
 
Life application: Things were obviously done differently when Jesus walked among the people of Israel. There were no cars, cellphones, or TVs. People’s lives would have been run at a completely different pace than what we are used to.
 
However, the days for Jesus were long and certainly tiring. What did He do at the end of His long day? He spent more energy ascending the nearby mountain, and He engaged with His Father in prayer. Although there is nothing prescriptive in this, it is an ideal that we can strive to attain.
 
Taking some time alone, away from the innumerable distractions we face, and spending time with the Lord will never be wasted time. Your mind can relax from the nag of calls, messages, text reminders, etc. Well, that is if you leave your phone behind when you decide to spend time with the Lord and pray.
 
If you are not used to this, it can be difficult to adjust. Being connected to the world through digital devices has become a standard part of our existence. And more, it has become an addiction for many. Take time to actively consider what value it is in your life. Is answering another text as important as spending time with the Lord through prayer or through His word?
 
Do your best to set your priorities straight and be willing to put everything else aside from time to time. At set times, try to refocus on filling the spiritual chasm in your life, replacing it with the goodness of God. You will find your time doing so a blessing you could not have imagined.
 
Glorious God, there are so many things that constantly distract us, pulling our attention away from what is truly important. If we stop and evaluate the time we spend doing things that are wholly unproductive, and then compare it to the time we spend with You, what would the balances reveal? Help us, Lord, to have our spiritual priorities right, focusing on You and fellowshipping with You each day. Amen.

Matthew 14:22

Tuesday, 25 November 2025
 
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. Matthew 14:22
 
“And immediately, Jesus, He compelled His disciples to in-step into the boat and precede Him to the beyond until which He dismissed the crowds” (CG).
 
The previous verse noted that those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Now that the meal was over, it next says, “And immediately, Jesus, He compelled His disciples to in-step into the boat.”
 
A new word, anagkazó, to necessitate, compel, or constrain, is seen here. It is derived from the noun anagké, constraint, distress, etc. There is a sense of urgency in the word, as if the disciples were hesitant to enter the boat without Him. Matthew doesn’t give the reason for the constraint they were placed under. However, the same narrative in John 6 says –
 
“Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, ‘This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” John 6:14, 15
 
If this was the impetus in the mind of Matthew as he penned his gospel, one can see how the matter may have continued if the disciples had stayed. The people came to make Jesus king by force. How would things have turned out if the disciples had stayed?
 
Would they have sided with the masses and caused Jesus additional stress in shunning their advances? Would they have defended the Lord when He declined the advances, thus causing a brawl to break out? Whatever the reason, it appears that Matthew was remembering the day while not explaining the circumstances and noting the event with this new word. Because of Jesus’ instructions, it next says, “and precede Him to the beyond.”
 
In other words, they were to cross the Sea of Galilee, returning to the side they had left that morning. Thus, they would be leaving Him without a means of crossing. Despite this, He constrained them to go. He would stay behind, “until which He dismissed the crowds.”
 
Whatever the state of the crowds or the mindset of the disciples, it is evident that Jesus wanted to dismiss them personally and to also be alone in prayer. Hence, they were instructed to leave alone and head across.
 
Life application: It is certain that the disciples could have refused to get into the boat and do as instructed, but they were obedient to Jesus as their Master. The word of God, the Bible, is a word from the Lord that also constrains us. It tells us to do things that we may not want to do. Maybe that is why so many people stop reading it or never read it.
 
They hear what the word expects, maybe in a sermon or from a friend, and don’t want to have to face its demands. So they live life without engaging with the word. But if we want to be obedient to our Master, we need to do what He expects of us. That is what the word is for.
 
It isn’t easy to stand up in a church and head for the door when something inappropriate is taught, but no one should sit under a preacher who is instructing contrary to the word. It is better to leave such a church than to accommodate the bad doctrine. Such an attitude places the church above the Lord. That cannot stand.
 
Let us remember this point. What the Lord says is like our government’s constitution. We get upset at politicians who ignore the law as if it doesn’t apply to them. How much more should we be upset at pastors, preachers, and teachers who ignore the highest authority of all?
 
This doesn’t mean we should get up and walk out every time we hear something amiss. People are prone to mistakes. However, when something is obviously purposeful that fails to align with the word, it is time to depart. Just recently, the Anglican Church split because those in the UK selected a woman as the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is the highest position in the church.
 
The African Anglicans noted that this was unacceptable. Further, her stance on abortion and gay rights made her selection a slap in the face of all who desire to hold to the word. The problem, however, rests as much with the African Anglicans. They failed to say anything years ago when unacceptable people began to be ordained.
 
The selection of this woman to be the Archbishop was merely an obvious step in the rush to total apostasy. The Africans, for years, failed to uphold the word by dividing from the UK, only taking action when it became intolerable to them, not to God, whose word had already been violated numerous times. Let us not let things get to such a point. Instead, let us exalt the word and thus honor the Lord at all times.
 
Lord God, give us the desire to be obedient to Your word as well as have the intestinal fortitude to stand firmly on it. It can be difficult for us to stand against the masses, but with You on our side, it really is no problem. Help us to remember this and adhere to what You have stated. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Matthew 14:21

Monday, 24 November 2025
 
Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:21
 
“And those eating, they were about five thousand men, besides women and children” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, it was noted that all the people present ate, were gorged, and they collected twelve baskets of pieces that were left over. Matthew next records, “And those eating, they were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
 
Each gospel narrative notes the number of men. Matthew, however, adds in the “besides women and children” to ensure that the number is understood to be men, plus others. The addition of this note concerning women and children could potentially bring the number up to as many as fifteen to twenty thousand people.
 
There is no need to assume, as many scholars do, that there would not be as many women and children as normal because of the long trek or some other reason. People moved about on their feet. It was common and the expected norm that all would keep up on such treks.
 
During the three annual pilgrim feasts, the entire family would walk from wherever they were to Jerusalem. Such a walk around the Sea of Galilee would be a snap for such hardy annual travelers. The numbers would have been great who received the miraculously provided food from Jesus.
 
Life application: It is not uncommon for people to say that only the men were required to travel to Jerusalem on the pilgrim feasts. This is because it says in Exodus 23:17, “Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.”
 
With that, they stop their analysis and conclude that only the men went. However, later it says –
 
“You shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. 12 And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.” Deuteronomy 16:11, 12
 
This is repeated in Deuteronomy 16:13-15. Then the matter is summed up, saying –
 
“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:16, 17
 
In other words, the “all your males” is stated in the same manner that the gospels speak of the males in relation to the feeding of the five thousand. It is an all-inclusive statement concerning the family that is represented by the males.
 
When reading the Bible, be sure to be familiar with it by methodically checking on things. There is a lot of information that has to be learned, and it is a lifetime challenge, but the more you read and remember, the less likely you are to have errors in your understanding. Even scholars of the Bible make blunders by assuming things from a single verse that are later qualified. So be methodical and contemplative. If you are, you will be rewarded for your diligent efforts, for sure.
 
Lord God Almighty, how wonderful is Your word! You have filled it with wisdom, wonder, and treasure. May we be responsible and read it slowly, contemplatively, and prayerfully. May we carefully tend to this wondrous and sacred gift You have given to us. Amen.