"We must know Jesus".

(Mat 14:10) And he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

To set the background we see that Jesus had just got the knews that his cousin and freind John the baptist has just been be-headed in prison on Herods orders.

Jesus is then faced with a crowd of many thousands who have also heard the news of Johns execution.

So what does he do ? does he go off into the wilderness to fulfil his own need, or does he help the distraught crowd and feed them, heal them.

Mat 14:14 And Jesus went out and saw a great crowd, and He was

moved with compassion toward them. And He healed their sick.

We see here demonstrated one of the great truths of our faith, and that is to love

others more than we do ourselves. It also highlights the contrast between God

Kingdom rules and those that confront us every day as sojourners in this world. The

kingdom rules are different, they are the original script of the Fathers heart, but have

slowly been corrupted by Mans sinful nature until we end up with a society that is in

many in many ways opposite to Gods truth.

For example take the truth of giving and receiving, the bible says it is better to give

than recieve. But the world says I want it all and i want it now.

How about the word love. This has been corrupted to the point where love means

what can you give me, not what can i give like Jesus constantly did.

The world has degraded the value of life to the extent where we kill our unborn

through abortion. But God the Father sent his only son to give his life for ours on

Calverys cross.

(Joh 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

After the crowds have been healed and miraculously fed, after they have departed he sends his disciples on ahead so he can have some time on the mountain in prayer, and we will pick the story up with the disciples in the boat.

(Mat 14:24) But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves; for the wind was against them.

So we see the disciples in the boat, being tossed two and fro by the waves and wind, we can imagine them clinging on to the gunwales for every thing they've got. This storm continues through the night until the 4th watch, which is normally about 4am in the morning. Then through the rain and the mist the disciples see someone walking on the water. Never having seen someone walk on the water before, the disciples think they are seeing a ghost or a spirit. Except for Peter.

(Mat 14:28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

Why was it only Peter that answered Jesus? Certainly the storm was rough and the wind high, so hearing Jesus could have been difficult. Certainly the waves and rain could have obscured their vision so they couldn’t make out who it was

Even so why was it that only Peter answered him?

It was because Peter knew Jesus. Thus when he heard his voice and saw him he believed, above all circumstance and logic.

This is what i want to say, it may not be cool or fashionable, it may seem outdated and naïve, we may be mocked and chastised as fools but the truth is the truth never the less. We must know whom we serve, we must be able to say as Peter did.

(Mat 16:16) And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Above all we must know Jesus.

It’s wonderful to see the healing power of our lord, yes it wonderful to know, his unending provision and grace and peace in our lives. These things the disciples all knew because they walked with Jesus every day. But in the end these are all beautiful benefits, but they will not sustain us when we are in the midst of Storm,

when we are deafened and blinded by the fury around us they will not be our salvation and hope.

It is only Jesus that will save us.

It is only Jesus who will pluck us out of the raging sea

We must know him.

Back in the boat it was it was Peter’s proclamation of faith that calmed the others. It would have been his Faith statement that helped those around him. In the middle of the storm there was a true Christ believer amongst them.

Its much the same with all of us, do we know the Lord in the storm as well as the sunshine?

Are we able to stand when all around us seem confused and frightened, are able to say as Peter did Lord what do want me to do.

But I have some good news. Jesus replied to Peter with one simple word "Come "

In the midst of turmoil, fear and confusion, Jesus says "Come"

I want to ecourage you if the storm is raging about you and you feel that you are sinking, do as Peter did, get out of the boat and walk toward Jesus.

Get out of the boat and walk toward the only thing that will save you.

and he will call us wih open arms if only we would hear his voice above the noise that surrounds us.

And he will say.

Mat 11:28 Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29 Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.

Mat 11:30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.