BSF Matthew, Week 15, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Today’s story is absolutely amazing.  There are so many elements and depth of messages in this story, we could peel back layer after layer of it for deeper meaning and application.  We also can also see fun insights, like, when the called Peter, “the rock”, were they simply chiding him for the fact that he sank like one?

Instead, I was drawn to focus on one specific verse: Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matt 14:33)

What does “worship” mean?

These guys were specifically called by Jesus.  The were commissioned by Him, given power by Him.  They saw His miracles.  They saw Him heal and teach.  They saw and heard the interactions with John the Baptist.  They just participated with him in feeding 5000 men plus their families from 5 loaves and 2 fish.

But now they got it.  This is the Messiah.  This is truly the Son of God.  And they worshiped Him.

Here is the difference that I see: Up to this point everyone who encountered Jesus wanted something from Him.  The sick wanted to be healed.  The lame to walk.  The blind to see.  The deaf to hear.  People hungered for His teaching.  They wanted to be taught the revelation of scriptures.  They wanted the government to rest upon His shoulders.  They wanted Him to throw off the tyranny of Rome.  Herod wanted Him to entertain him.  The pharisees and sadducees wanted Him to die or at a minimum shut up and go away.  The disciples wanted Him to lead them.

But now they worshiped Him.  Worship is not the act of wanting or taking or asking or needing – worship is the act of openly offering everything we have received back to the one from whom it all came.  The disciples had not understood before.  Mark 6:52 tells us the disciples “had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened” (they were probably still grumbling about having to feed all these people!).  But, now, instead of taking from Jesus, their hearts were open and praise was flowing out of them to the true Son of God.

Is this how we worship?  Do we show up to worship service to be entertained?  Do we pray only when we need something?  Do we have a set outcome or role that we expect God to fulfill in our lives?  Or do we worship Him simply for who He is – He is God and I am not?  Worship is not a physical action, it is a condition or state of our heart and soul.  And, as we see when the boat landed, worship is contagious!

My Answers:

12.
a.
Yes, they were obedient and exactly where God/Jesus had sent them

b.
Storms of life are not because I have sinned or done something wrong.  I can be in exactly the right place at the right time and still face a storm – but it is nothing Jesus can’t handle!

13.
a.
fully in Jesus

b.
Saw the wind – physical eyes over-ruled his spiritual heart

c.
reached out his hand and caught him… why did you doubt?

d.
Not stuck in the boat – get out and walk on water – trust heart to Jesus over whatever my eyes/mind may tell me.

14.
a.
died down

b.
worshiped him – Truly you are the Son of God

c.
Power over the physical world