Pentecost13                              Matt. 14:22-33                                                 8/10/08
                                                “Rough Seas”

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes feel like I’m in a small boat on a very big sea.  I started out following Jesus command.  I felt with my experience and gifts I could handle the trip across, and while the sea was placid the going was easy.  But then the water got choppy, the wind changed direction and I was having to fight my way forward.  I kept at it, but I was really getting worn out.

This isn’t a one time only event.  It happens at times throughout life.  Sometimes, I keep rowing.  I struggle to solve a problem, make things work out as I think they ought, keep going completely on my own.  These are the times I forget that I am the follower, not the leader.

Sometimes, I cower in my little boat.  I’m afraid to even look at the one walking toward me offering help.  I may even question Jesus’ promises to be present with me, to help me, to save me.  These are the times I forget that Jesus is always near.

Sometimes, I ask for assurance and when Jesus gives it to me, step out with faith and courage, confident that He will buoy me up and make it possible to actually walk through the chaotic seas that life presents.  I do fine for a while. 

The problems don’t go away, but with my eyes locked on Jesus instead of what causes me fear and anxiety I seem able to use my creativity to find a way through the chaos.  With my focus on Jesus, I can move forward in faith and trust.  I can believe that it will all work out according to God’s good plan.  These are the times that I’m living my discipleship with grace.

This is how it was for Peter.  While the others clung to what they had, what they knew, what they could do or what they most feared, Peter sought assurance and then stepped bravely out of the boat.

                                                                     xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

At this point, it might help to reflect on some of the symbolism and deeper meaning of aspects of this story.

First, it is worth noting that Jesus made the disciples go to the other side of the Sea of Gallilee.  This would be gentile territory - not a place good Jewish disciples want to go - but people Jesus wanted the Church of both the 1st century and the 21st century to go to.

The sea had great meaning for these early people.  It was considered to be a place of danger, of chaos, of evil.  Only the courageous or unfortunate went far out from shore into the deep waters.

Then the winds build up, presumably pushing the little boat with the twelve even farther away from the safety of land.  As we’ve seen with devastating hurricanes like Katrina, nature can have devastating power.  The disciples fear was justified.  Out at sea, with no land to serve as a point of reference and probably clouds obscuring the stars that might guide them and waves crashing against and into the boat, they were in deep deep trouble.

Then, these men who have been brought up on stories of demons, ghosts and other specters living in the sea, see the impossible.  It couldn’t be Jesus walking on the water.  Men, even great rabbis and teachers, can’t walk on water.  Who knows if they could even hear Jesus’ words of assurance huddled there with their hands over their ears?

Peter heard though.  Should he be berated for testing what this “spirit” said, or should he be admired for trusting enough to ask for confirmation - and what confirmation: “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

Surely, Peter commands out respect for having the faith and courage to leave what little safety the boat afforded.  If he had been wrong he surely would have drowned.  He didn’t even have a life vest. 

Peter steps forward with confidence, and he walks on the water.  Then, he takes his eyes off of Jesus...and he sinks.  Thus Peter would have drowned except for the fact that he spoke the most important words anyone can speak, “Lord, save me!”

Whether we have courageously stepped out of our little boats, ignoring the winds of rising prices, job loss, sickness, and other sources of anxiety and fear or continue to huddle in what little security may be found in the boat, those words can mean life or death for us also.

Does the wind blow whispers of your company planning a lay-off or out-sourcing?  Do you feel a cold chill because of some physical symptom or at the thought of seeing your doctor?  Do waves of fear wash over you as you listen to news reports of banks closing, heating costs rising again, new conflict and terrorist acts happening around the world?  Do you see only a ghost walking toward you on the seas of chaos?

Uncover your ears and listen to the voice of the one who called you into discipleship and who now says even to disciples of our day, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Whatever is happening in our lives or in the life of our church, we can move forward in trust and confidence because the One who calls us is indeed our Lord.  We can rise up from our fearful huddling and step out of the boat with confidence.

And yes, we will, like Peter, take our eyes off Jesus.  We will loses our focus and begin to sink beneath the waves.  But, we need only remember those oh so important words, “Lord, save me.”

And He will lift us up.  He will bring to our remembrance all the times in our past when we cried for help and He answered.

Sinking isn’t fun.  It can be scary and even painful.  We will get wet, suffering the consequences of our lack of focus, our bad decisions and the general condition of sin in the world.  But, we can trust because we do know that Jesus is with us and will ultimately still the storm.  And, we can weather all the storms when we remember that we are disciples, learning each day to have just a little bit more faith in our Lord.

Oh, we are in a very small boat on very rough seas, but Jesus is here to still the storms in our hearts and lives.  Amen.