Matthew 14:22-33 2324252627282930313233
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.” (NRSV)
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.” (NRSV)
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him Matthew 14:31
I have never enjoyed swimming. Most any other activity I can get into. But something about water freaks me out. So I completely understand why when Peter started sinking down,
when the water went above his knees
when he was chest deep
when the white form of the waves hit his face.
He cried out for HELP!
More specifically, Peter cried out to be saved.
There is a difference between being saved and asking for help. And it is more than just splitting syntax hairs. A helping hand is what we experienced at the church this week. On Monday as the humidity hovered and hung in the air like a wet blanket, about 10 of us gathered to start painting a mural in the education wing. The fans pushed around the warm air, but there was a sweet spirit in the air as we talked with each other, cracked jokes, and awoken our inner artist. It was the church being the church. We were lending a helping hand.
Contrast that to the scripture passage. Peter cries out to be saved. In Christianity today we have turned salvation into an individualistic endeavor. It is about me and Jesus. Me and my own future. Me and myself...thank you very much. Within scripture salvation is always communal. The book of Acts talks about the earliest church coming together, eating together, sharing together and being at peace, finding wholeness in life together. (see Acts 2:43-47).
Peter might be out there by himself. But salvation comes, peace and wholeness comes, when he gets back in the boat with the rest of the disciples. Peter's fear subsides when he is back in the boat with the rest of the disciples. Worship of Jesus comes when they are all in the boat proclaiming Jesus as "The Son of God."
What would it mean to think of salvation in less individualistic ways? For me, it means being more engaged in the church, the community of faith. To be involved with others in talking about the faith, praying together, questioning together, and sharing life with each other.
Let's go a little deeper. We are humans and make mistakes in our communal life. We will say things that hurt each other. Forget to do what we promised. Miss meetings...get caught up in arguments. But, there are traces of grace that can only be found in the church. A potluck meal for one is not a potluck. We need each other. Mistakes in our life together on the Way can either cause division or an opportunity for forgiveness, reconciliation, resurrection and new life to shine through.
I sense God working through the church to bring about wholeness and life that is life and peace that is salvation. Being in a community striving to follow Jesus can save us from fear to trust that love is real. Being in a community striving to follow Jesus can save us from thinking we are all alone out there to experiencing first hand the warmth of another close by. Being in a community striving to follow Jesus can save us from thinking that there are only storms and suffering and sinking down in life... to experiencing the beauty of singing and laughing and painting hallways together. God works through the church, the community of faith to help save the world that God so loves. And being in the boat with other disciples is the helping hand reminding me of the bigger and outlandish claim of God's saving work here and now.
May the traces of God's grace be felt in your life.
Blessings,
Wes
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