August 7 - Matthew 14.22-33

Matthew 14.22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

I love this story.  It is a story that I can visualize rather easily.  The storm.  The boat.  Jesus in the distance, walking on the water.  Peter – who is called the rock - jumping out of the boat, somehow walking on the water, before doing what rocks do on water – beginning to sink.  Jesus reaching out and taking his hand to save him.  I can picture all of that. 

I find this story so appropriate for what is going on in our world today.  Like the disciples we are in the midst of a storm.  And there is so much that causes us to be frightened; to be afraid.  I’m not just thinking about the healthy fear of a virus that is quite wily and deadly to some people. 

I’m afraid that once all this is over, we will too soon forget the gift that it is to be near one another;

 I am afraid that some people will never come back to the church building again; and that we lose a sense of the community of faith. 

I’m afraid that we will just try to go back to the way things were before March 15^th, as if nothing ever happened, and that we will not allow ourselves be changed by all that has been. 

I’m afraid that some churches won’t make it out of this, and will end up closing the doors of their building, and the members of those churches won’t connect with another faith community.

 I think we are in the midst of a storm.  And we hear today that Jesus walks into that storm, focusing his attention on the boat that holds those disciples.  And then he encourages, invites, and maybe even stands back when Peter risks everything and takes a step towards him. 

Of course Peter sinks and “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught Peter.”

That’s the part of the story where we find out who we are.  Notice in the story that when Peter is in the boat, he isn’t sure that it is Jesus who is calling him.  But soon as he is out of the boat and as soon as he starts to sink he cries out:  Lord, save me.”  Peter knows exactly who he is calling to. 

When there are no storms around us, we tend to forget who we are and who Jesus is.  But once we are in a storm, with the water rising quickly around us, we know that we need to be saved, and we know that Jesus is the only one who can do the saving. 

And as we sink, not matter what the fears, Jesus is there.  Right there.  Immediately grabbing us by the hand and pulling us from the stormy waters. 

Let us pray:  Lord, like Peter I am afraid.  Sometimes I will take a risk, step out in faith, and before long I’m crying out to you to rescue me.  Help me know that you are always there.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.