IS JESUS CALLING YOU TO WALK ON WATER?

Jann Martin August 7, 2005

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Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28
Matthew 14:22-33

Gospel Lesson

²²Immediately after this, Jesus made his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake while he sent the people home. ²³Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. ²⁴Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.

²⁵About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him, they screamed in terror, thinking he was a ghost. ²⁷But Jesus spoke to them at once. "It's all right," he said. "I am here! Don't be afraid."

²⁸Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water."

²⁹ "All right, come," Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted.

³¹Instantly, Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. "You don't have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" ³²And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

³³Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The story in today's Gospel immediately follows Jesus' feeding the 5,000 men and also the women and children that were there with Him, with five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus blessed the people after He had fed them spiritually and physically and then sent them on their way. He also told the disciples to go in the boat and to go back across to the other side of the lake. He wanted some time alone to pray. He needed to be with His father and to feed Himself with the presence of God. In this, He gave us an example of how we should also find a quiet place to talk to God and to renew our souls.

It also says in this lesson that it was three o'clock in the morning before He joined the disciples. This means He was in prayer for a very long time. Have you ever lost track of time when you were praying? One time I was up north at a cottage and alone on a porch with a beautiful view of a lake. I had several things on my mind and started to write in my journal. I started it Dear Father, and then proceeded to write for the next hour and a half. I was amazed at how much time had passed but felt closer to God with a renewed sense of peace. I was able to put aside my busy everyday schedule, lean on God, and be fed by Him. Sometimes I find that by writing in my journal I can focus more and can really get in touch with where I am in my life. Many times, I find myself helping everyone around me and I'm not even sure how I feel about a situation. Make sure you take time to seek out your feelings, take them to God in prayer, and ask Him for His guidance.

When the disciples first left Jesus, the weather was fine and the sea was calm. As the night wore on, the weather got worse and the disciples became afraid. We often face storms in our lives. We just have to remember that God is with each of us in those storms and can calm the seas for us as He did for the disciples. He has strong shoulders and can handle anything we throw at Him. We can be mad and yell at Him, run to Him crying, or quietly seek His advice. He's there for each and every one of us at all times.

The disciples were afraid of the storm and thought they were seeing a ghost when Jesus was walking out to be with them. Jesus told them it was ok, that it was Him, and for them not to be afraid. Peter responded with the statement: "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water." Jesus told Peter to come to Him. Have you ever walked on water? I have, really I did. I was water skiing and wanted to try to ski with one ski. As I was coming by the dock, I dropped one ski and the other one came off too. I took three steps on the water before I went under.

Peter did step out of the boat and began to walk to Jesus. While his eyes were on Jesus, he was able to stay on top of the water. When his humanness got in the way and he began to notice the waves and the wind, he began to sink. He got scared and reached a hand out to Jesus with the faith that he would once again be safe if he only trusted in Jesus.

When we are in the midst of a storm in our lives, we can call out to Jesus and He can calm the water for us. It takes faith to step out of the boat into the tossed sea, but whatever Jesus commands, He will make possible. He won't ask something of you and then walk away. He'll be right there with you to give you the strength you need. You may not always feel His presence, but remember, we are the ones that turn from Him. His hand is always waiting for us to reach out to Him.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer gave the following as an interpretation of Peter's response: "Peter had to leave the ship and risk his life on the sea in order to learn both his own weakness and the almighty power of his Lord. If Peter had not taken the risk, he would never have learned the meaning of faith. The road to faith passes through obedience to the call of Jesus. Unless a definite step is demanded, the call vanishes into thin air. If people imagine that they can follow Jesus without taking this step, they are deluding themselves like fanatics." Bonhoeffer also gave this theological paradox in response to this situation. "Faith is only real where there is obedience, never without it, and faith only becomes faith in the act of obedience."

So like Peter we too can face the storms in life and know that God is with us. We also learn from this story a little more about who Jesus really is. Each time He talked in parables, healed the sick, and performed so many other miracles, He was letting those around Him know He was God's son, that He was the Messiah.

Do you think Jesus is the kind of person your parents would have liked you to hang out with? He was always pushing the limit, taking risks. As a parent, we want to keep our children safe, but sometimes we have to let them and us as well, step out into the storm tossed sea and fall back on our faith to make it through.

Jesus asks us to take risks in many different ways. It can be in talking or listening to someone. For example, the Stephen Ministry will train people to listen and support those around them. Another way could be to support a mission or ministry with time, talent or finances. Whatever gifts God has given you can be used when you step out in faith and try. If we don't try, we won't ever know how far God can take us. So if you think you hear a voice asking you to take a chance and reach out in an area you're not sure of, it could be Jesus asking you to take a leap of faith and grow. He's not only there when we are at peace, but also when He is asking us to step out of the boat into the tossed sea. Is Jesus Calling you to Walk on Water? It's ok, reach out and see how far He can take you.

Amen.

©Jann Martin 2005