Scripture: Matthew 14: 22-33

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Pastor Kip Shuford

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Jesus Walks on Water

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I recall a few years back the controversy concerning whether a school could require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag since the pledge contained the words, "one nation under God." The proponents argued this was an unfair or illegal placement of religion into a secular, nonreligious America?

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In the debate that was generated by this question, some defended the phrase "under God" by arguing that "the phrase 'under God' doesn't refer to a Christian God or a Jewish God or an Islamic God. It's a generic god. It's a god that you can make mean whatever you want it to mean. It's a recognition of a higher power--however, you want to think of that higher power."

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If that were the case, then what do we believe in? Has faith become so generic? Can we make our religion mean whatever we want it to be? Maybe that's why our country is in the shape it is in now? For so many, the name "God" describes a vague, nondescript, completely undemanding, and unthreatening "higher power." He is always at our selfish disposal, however you want to think of that power. If that's all God is, then why bother?

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Who is Jesus? What does he look like? If you met him on the street, would you know him? When we have Holy Communion, we repeat the acclamation, "Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again." We believe not only that Christ has come, but that, someday, in some mysterious way, he shall return. Here's something to think about: When Christ returns, would you know Him? Would you be able to pass Him on the street and say, "Yep, that's Jesus"?

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How would you recognize him? We have no photographs of his physical appearance. There are no portraits. The beloved "Head of Christ" painted in 1940 by artist Warner Sallman is only a representation of how one painter thought Jesus might have looked. But who was He? How did He look?

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In our scripture, a group of Jesus' disciples have difficulty recognizing Jesus. They don't know that the figure who walks along the roaring waves is Jesus. The disciples are in a boat. The wind was against them, driving them far out to sea. And at early dawn, just before light, they see a terrifying sight. A figure is walking toward them on the sea! "It's a ghost"(Matthew 14:26)! They scream in unison.

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Then the figure speaks to them. "Take heart; it is I, don't be afraid"(Matthew 14:27). However, even when Jesus spoke to them, they still weren't sure that it was Jesus. It's this moment that Peter says something out of the ordinary. Peter says, "Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water"(Matthew 14:28). That question does seem a bit out of left field? "Lord, I don't know how to swim, but you can command me to walk out in the waves?" How about, "Lord, just ask me to jump off the top of the state capital?" Of course, only if that is you?

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Isn't it strange that Peter was uncertain that the voice from the waves was the voice of Jesus until that voice commanded him, "Come on out, the water's fine, I'm right here"?

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And there it is! That's how we will know Jesus. Jesus is the one who extravagantly and recklessly commands us to leave the safety of the boat, to step into the sea, to test the waters, and show what our faith is made of. That's Jesus!

 

The lyrics of Hymn 348 tell us that, "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me." Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling us in today's scripture to risk our lives, to throw caution to the wind, to step out of the boat, and defy death.

 

A Scotsman was taking a trip to the Holy Land, and when he got to the Sea of Galilee, he was horrified when he found it would cost fifty dollars an hour to rent a boat to go out on the water. "Hoot mon," he said, "in Scotland, I could ha got a boat for about $20." "That might be true," said the boatman, "but you have to take into account that the Sea of Galilee is water on which our Lord Himself walked." "Well, at $50 an hour," said the Scotsman, "it's little wonder He walked."

How much would you pay to walk where Jesus walked?

 

In the beginning, Jesus called this group of very ordinary people to drop their fishing nets, to leave their families and venture forth with him on a hazardous sea called discipleship. He began by telling them he was "going to teach you to catch people" (Matthew 4:19). Later, as they go on the journey with him, he says, "Now, I'm going to teach you to carry a cross" (Luke 14:27).

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With all that has occurred in their journey, maybe it isn't strange for Peter to say, "Lord, if it is you, call me to get out of the boat and to walk on the waves?" Jesus does what we think impossible, and He calls Peter out of the boat and on to the storm's waves. Peter, in his timidity, calls out to Jesus, "Lord, if it is you, command me to walk on the waves."

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The good news is that Peter ventured forth, even though the going was rough. At one moment, Peter almost sank and perished, but Jesus reached out and caught him, just at the right moment. Can you imagine the scene, both men standing on the water, as Jesus helped Peter back into the boat? He stilled the wind and the waves, and Peter was saved. 

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What would have happened if Peter had not climbed out of the boat, refusing to obey the call to walk on water? Well, Peter would never have had this great opportunity. Jesus would not have had the opportunity to be recognized as Lord or have the moment to rescue Peter.

How many of us are merely sitting in the boat or splashing about in the shallow end of the pool, limiting our opportunities to test and deepen our faith? Today's scripture suggests if you want to be close to Jesus, you have to venture forth out on the sea; you have to prove His promises through trusting in Him, through risk and endeavor. 

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When we look at the waves crashing around our Church, how are we going to respond? Are we going to go on bailing as fast as we can to try to keep our comfortable boat afloat? Or are we, when Christ calls us to get out of our boat, going to climb out and walk to him on water? Do we follow in the footsteps of Peter, or do we remain, like the other eleven in the boat, huddled in fear? We must recognize that we will only do great things for God when we get out of the security of the BOAT.

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God doesn't just call the Good, and the Great, in the Church to get out of the boat and join him on the water. We are shown two things: (1.) the power of prayer, and (2.) that God's Will will be done. Jesus calls you and me! And sometimes it feels as if we are walking on water.

 You don't have to be anyone special for Jesus to call you to come out of the boat. God is calling for us to be effective witnesses to Christ, and to stop looking at the waves as obstacles. Instead, know that we are called to get out of the boat! To God be the Glory!
 

I have prepared the following prayer for our families, our children, and our teachers. I am asking for everyone to pray with me every day at noon for the next seven days as school is set to open. There is strength in numbers and this is an appropriate time to ask God to direct and protect our students and their teachers. Thank you for your support!

 

Father,

Help us to not look forward in fear to the changes in life;

Rather, may we look to the future with full hope,

because as changes arise,

you will lead us safely through all things because we are your very own,

and when we cannot stand it,

You will carry us in Your arms.

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With You,

we shall not fear what may happen tomorrow;

because you are the understanding Father who cares for us today,

and who will care for us tomorrow and every day.

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We have faith,

O Lord, that You will either shield us from suffering,

or give us unfailing strength to bear it.

Put us at peace,

and give us the grace to put aside all anxious thoughts and images.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,

Your Son, and Our Lord.

 

Amen