August 13, 2017 Pentecost +10A 

“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 toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, 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 toward 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 worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33 

“Have you ever noticed that it’s often in the most challenging times of life that we sense God’s presence most clearly? I’m not saying it should be this way. Or that God only appears when we most need God. Rather, I think that there’s just something about significant challenges and trials that clarify our priorities and cut through the manifold distractions of everyday life so that we may see God more clearly. I think that’s part of what’s going on in today’s Gospel reading. After feeding the thousands who followed him into the wilderness, Jesus commands the disciples to head across the sea without him while he remains on shore to send the crowds on their way and then spend some time in communion with his Father on the mountain. While the disciples are crossing, a storm arises that threatens to engulf them. They spend the better part of an anxious night navigating the waves, and in the early hours of the morning Jesus strides across the water to meet them. Mistaking Jesus for a wave-walking specter, the disciples grow even more alarmed as he draws near. In response, Jesus reassures them that it is he who is coming to them. His encouragement works…and then some, as Peter is emboldened to ask if he might join Jesus out on the water. At first confident given his Lord’s assent, Peter soon remembers the height of the waves and depth of the sea and loses heart, whereupon Jesus reaches out and grabs him. While Jesus remarks on his lack of faith, it’s at this moment that the disciples see Jesus as if for the first time, confessing, “Truly you are the Son of God”… it’s here, at this moment of extremity, when the disciples perceive most clearly who Jesus is. So part of what strikes me in this passage is how it reveals something deeply true about humanity. I know, at least, that I have often overlooked God’s presence in the peaceful and pleasant portions of my life yet called out in earnest when things took a difficult turn.” (David Lose, “…in the meantime”, davidlose.net, August 4, 2014, WHOLE-HEARTED FAITH)

We have so many stories of Jesus’ miracles, his healings, his teachings…yet too many are afraid to share those stories. Maybe when Jesus said to the disciples and said to Peter …. “You of Little faith, why did you doubt?”, instead of talking to the disciples, maybe Jesus is talking to us. Maybe he is addressing our skepticism, our fears about sharing our faith and the miraculous stories of Jesus. Perhaps we are afraid that people will just laugh at us – or tell us that we are crazy for believing such bunk. But it is to this unbelieving, “un-awe-stricken” society and world that we are called by Jesus to “Go and make disciples of all nations…and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded…” Well, we might not succeed all the time, but we don’t have to worry about sinking like Peter because what holds us up, what sustains us in the process of sharing our faith and God’s word is our baptism. Just like the water in this miraculous story holds up Jesus, and Peter (at least temporarily), it is what will hold you and I up throughout our lives – the same baptism that Jesus participated in. Life will always throw us some turbulent, rough, and stormy seas our ways. Too many people today are just like the disciples – sitting in fear, afraid, tired, alone, missing faith in their lives – needing some evidence, some explanation, rather than allowing themselves to simply believe. Although there are many messages in our lessons today, one of the most important is this – to grow spiritually your faith must over come your fear.

Pastor Dave