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REFLECTIVE READING TEMPLATE
Reflective Reading Passage: ________Matthew 14:22–33_______________
Use this template and the course texts The Inquisitive Christ and Approaching the New
Testament to record brief notes for each step of the reflective reading process.
Step One: Prepare
Use this space to understand the key elements of context to your passage. Consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament, please complete the contextual information according to the
information found in the course textbook:
By consulting and citing Approaching the New Testament, who is the author of this biblical book
(in 2-3 sentences)?
The author for the book of Matthew is believed to be St. Matthew himself. Told as a firsthand
account of the life of Jesus.
By consulting and citing Approaching the New Testament, when was this biblical book written (in
1 sentence)?
According to the text Approaching the New Testament, It appears to have been written before
70 AD.
By consulting and citing Approaching the New Testament, what is the overall theme of the book
(in 2-3 sentences)?
It appears to me, the overall theme of the book of Matthew is to teach that Jesus was the true
messiah. To teach that Jesus was the King prophesized in the Old Testament.
Step Two: Read
Utilizing either a translation of choice or creating a paraphrase of your own, use this space to re-
write the full passage of scripture. Please do not copy and paste from an existing translation, but
rather, write out the passage word-by-word in order to slowly reflect on the content.
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After feeding the crowd Jesus sent his disciples away onto the sea so he could dismiss the
crowd. With the solitude, Jesus went to the top of the mountain to pray and stayed until
evening. Then he realized the men in the boat where being battered by the sea and in the
predawn hours he began to traverse on the Sea of Galilee to the boat. When the men see
Jesus walking atop the water they panic! They are terrified they are seeing a ghost! Jesus calls
out, reassuring the men, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter isn’t sure and questions
Jesus; Jesus summons him onto the water. Having impulse to trust in Jesus, Peter steps onto
the water and begins to defy the water as well. As the wind gusts around him, Peter waivers
in his faith of the situation and begins to sink! He calls out to Jesus’ “Lord, save me!” Jesus
immediately reaches to Peter and steadies him on the water, telling Peter he needs not doubt
him. Peter and Jesus board the boat and the men worship him crying, “Truly you are the Son
of God.”
Step Three: Reflect
Use this space to answer the following questions. Consult The Inquisitive Christ for insight into
pertinent Gospel texts.
If there is dialogue in the passage, who is speaking (in 1 complete sentence)?
The majority of the passage involves a small verbal exchange between Jesus, Peter and the
men on the boat.
What questions are asked in the passage? Please list all questions located in the passage.
The only question asked in this passage is the biggest question and is asked by Jesus, “ You of
little faith, why did you doubt?”
How would you answer each of the questions asked (in at least 3 sentences)?
The literal answer to this question, is that Peter doubted because he was distracted from his
goal; his goal was to reach Jesus. The bigger answer to this question is the same, “…why did
you doubt?” because people get distracted and lose sight of their goal. Their goal being, an
understanding and loving relationship with the Lord.
What words or phrases stand out to you, and why? Are any words/themes repeated? If so, share
why you think there is repetition. Please answer with at least 3 sentences.
“It is a ghost!” The multiple fears the men must have felt upon seeing Jesus transversing the
turbulent Sea are great. Not only were the men probably in fear for their situation because
the sea was rough and battering their boat, but here they believe they are seeing their friend,
their Savior, as a ghost. This implies that in the hours they had drifted something terrible had
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happened to Jesus! These thoughts probably flashed quickly before them. It isn’t until Jesus
and Peter are back in the boat that the men are to rejoice and praise him.
What questions do you have as you read this passage? If you have no questions, please explain
why this might be the case.
Several questions, to me, come up if reading this section alone. Like, why was Jesus in such a
hurry to be alone? Why did he send everyone away from him? It requires reading the
previous passages and even preceding passages to understand that Jesus was grieving and
wanted to be alone and pray. He had just been told his cousin and close friend was
murdered.
Step Four: Pray
Use this space to formulate a prayer to God, dialoguing with Him about what he may be
speaking to you in this passage:
Dear Father,
It is clear to me that this passage yearns to enforce the concept of trust. Trusting that the
path before us may not always be clear but that we must trust that it is laid, and it is good.
We must trust in the love of Jesus and trust that your plan is resolute.
Amen
Step Five: Respond
Use this space to contemplate how God may be asking you to respond to this passage in your life
with him:
I think it is difficult to take the grand meaning to this section alone. To read Matthew 14; 8-
33, gives an understanding of the gravity of Jesus’ situation. He was bereaved, he was
grieving, yet he helped. He put aside his needs to show compassion and healing to the crowd.
He took the time to heal and feed them. He then was able to have peace and pray and grieve.
Once he was done, he returned to his men, even enforcing to them that he is the messiah. I
think this entire passage wants to enforce the idea that our feelings are valid and will be
addressed when it is time; but we must at times set them aside for the greater good.
