Daily Writing

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“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.

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“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.

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“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.

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“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 17^th-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.

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“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.