What is most important in this story (Matthew 14.22-36), is what it teaches about the nature of true faith, which is certainly why Matthew included it. These chapters record the disciples’ first feeble attempts to understand and trust Jesus.
“A Volatile Moment”
We see the next step in Jesus’ teaching when He walks on the Sea of Galilee and allows Peter to walk on the water too (Matthew 14.22-36). This is a story about the disciples’ slow growth in faith. Peter began in faith, but his faith wavered, and he began to sink. The story teaches that we will only grow strong in faith when we keep our eyes on Jesus, the source of our faith, and do not turn aside to fret over threatening circumstances.
“Friend of A Friend: Jesus”
Jesus was building on natural anxiety and the awareness that it is God who supplies our daily bread when he told those of His day, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” He meant that we will never find full spiritual satisfaction unless we find it in Him.
“We Can Do Nothing”
In spiritual matters we can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ (Jn.15.5) – “apart from me you can do nothing.”
“True Patriotism”
A letter to a fellow pastor and friend from John Newton – former slave and slave-ship captain, “glad preacher” of the Gospel and author of Amazing Grace. ( Newton, J., Richard Cecil. (1824). The works of the John Newton London: Hamilton, Adams & Co.)
“Who Truly Cares for You?”
In Matthew 14.13, after the death of John the Baptist “Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Matthew 14-16 can be appropriately titled, “The Withdrawal of the King.”