Lectionary 19A (Pr 14)
Grace Lutheran Church
Lakeland,FL
August 9, 2020
Genesis 27:1-4, 12-18
Psalms 105:1-6,15-22,45b
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
Grace to you beloveds and peace from God and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Bible contains numerous stories where certain geographies are significant. There are mountains – important things happen on mountains – commandments are given, God shows up, prayers are offered. There are wildernesses – battles are fought, comfort is received, God shows up.
And seas are important. God’s people pass through seas, Jesus calms storms on the seas, Jesus walks on the seas and God shows up. In ancient times the seas were symbols of chaos and confusion and darkness; and even today we speak of the storms of life, times when we feel tossed about as a boat is in a storm.
One of the things that gives me comfort from this story is that it shows me that Jesus is ALWAYS with us in the storms. Jesus left his mountaintop experience where he has been praying, and went to join the disciples he had sent on to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. And they are in the middle of strong winds. And, amazingly, Jesus walks on the water – the Greek word for “on” is kata – which can also be translated “against” – Jesus is against the sea – that which is chaotic and dark.
Jesus walking on the water, unrecognized by the disciples, THIS is what frightens the disciples. They didn’t see Jesus for who he really was. And they cried out in fear. And the writer says that immediately Jesus spoke to them to calm their fear – He said this – Be courageous! It is I. I AM! Do not fear! What do we know about these disciples – they were Jewish. When they heard the phrase “I AM” what would they immediately have thought of? The Name of God! Jesus was telling them that in his person, God was present with them. And he demonstrated this by walking on the water – doing what no person could do.
And then there’s Peter – you gotta love Peter! Peter remembers – we left you on the other side of the sea, you wanted some time alone to pray – what’s going on here? We can imagine his puzzlement at the words he has just heard – I AM. So Peter, trying to reconcile what he knows – Jesus is back on land having some private prayer time – with what he has heard – I AM here. – Peter says, Lord, if this is you tell me to come to you!!!
And then Jesus said, “Come.” Can you imagine the drama of the moment! In your mind’s eye get into this boat with the disciples – they are struggling to maintain control of it during this storm; they are terrified by this ghost; they may have wondered what they had just heard. Then they see Peter stepping out of the boat! WHAT!!?? And, they see Peter walking on the stormy water – Peter, at Jesus’ word, was able to do what no human SHOULD be able to do.
But then there’s that startling switch in the story – Peter shifted his attention from Jesus to the storm. And, began to sink. What is Jesus’ response? – immediately he stretched out his hand to catch Peter.
Jesus then says, “you of little faith, why did you doubt?” That sounds like a fairly harsh rebuke but we must remember Jesus’ nature when faced with one of his own who was in need. He immediately came to show his presence and to assist. “Little faith” can properly be understood as having some combination of trust and anxiety. Well, you know, there are many times in my life that I have both trust and anxiety. If you have too, well, we are in very good company!
And “doubt” – well, what that means here is not to be skeptical or wondering. Peter wasn’t being skeptical or wondering – for goodness sake, he stepped out of the boat despite all common sense to the contrary. He actually walked on water. Doubt here is best understood as wavering, going back and forth on a matter. Having second thoughts despite one’s confidence in a decision that we’ve made.
When we step out onto (or against) the water, keep your eyes on Jesus – see him as the Son of God incarnate. Divine.
Ok, now let’s look at the boat.
The disciples, the followers of Jesus, hung out in the boat. Many Christian worship spaces are called “naves.” “Nave” navy – ships and boats. In fact, if you look at the roofs and ceilings, many of them resemble the hull of a ship. Like the first disciples and like Noah and his family during the flood, we modern disciples hang out in the boat when the storms rage around us.
Like the first disciples, when we’re in the boat we needn’t be afraid. The boat provides safety in the storm, companionship in the calm, and a way to move from place to place.
Don’t we miss the opportunity to gather together on Sunday mornings -- seeing each other after a week of life “out there,” special holidays to celebrate together, at important times in our lives – births and baptisms, marriages, confirmation, ordinations, even deaths – we gather together for a bit of shelter and companionship with each other. And at this time, out of care for ourselves and love for our neighbor, we must stay away until things are safe. We don’t know when that will be – oh, that we did. But even though we are not physically together, we are very much together spiritually. And Jesus is here in our midst.
Yet, my friends, we are called by Jesus’ voice saying simply “Come” to step out of the boat into the confusion of the world around us, of which there is an abundance these days. From our times gathered together, we move into the world of our every day lives – and those lives are not always easy. We are called to be witnesses of God’s amazing love for us, made real in Jesus. We are called to witness this to a world that does not always welcome what we have to say. We are called to witness this with our lives individually and our life together. This is a tall order. Yet, like Peter, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Son of God, we can do what is humanly impossible.
And when our faith wavers, when we have second thoughts, when we hesitate, he is right there to immediately save us.So it is in this life of faith in Jesus. My sisters and brothers in Christ – let’s step out of the boat and walk on water!
Amen!
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