Sermon Index
August 10, 2014
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 14:22–33 [Peter walks on the water.]
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And 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 and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
How would you like to be able to walk on water? I think it would be kool. Cross a river without a bridge. Walk out from the beach, look down and view the sea-life under your feet. Take your fishing pole and walk out to where the fish are. Bring your camera and take dynamic photos of people surfing the waves. People would make fun of you, of course. “What’s the matter? Can’t you swim?” Unless you wear pontoons on your feet, it is impossible for people to walk on water. Try it and you will sink. God did not make people to walk on water, and so, when the People of Israel left Egypt, Moses parted the Red Sea and people walked over on dry land. Likewise, when they entered the Promised Land, at the time of Joshua, the Jordan River stopped its flow and the people crossed over on dry land. And before Elijah was taken up to heaven in the Fiery Chariot, Elijah rolled up his cloak and struck the Jordan River so that it divided and he and Elisha could walk over to the other side. We might be like St. Peter and want the adventure of walking on water, but like Peter, we too would sink into the sea.
Since we cannot physically walk on water, then maybe we can spiritually walk on water; the water being life with all its problems. Christians understand this. When we have our eyes on Jesus, we can have peace in the midst of the problems of life. We know that Jesus will lead us and protect us. Many Christians will witness that it was their faith that kept them afloat when they were going through difficulties in life. Things like disease and cancer, unemployment and financial problems, family life, drugs and alcohol and violence, mental problems, problems with friends and spouses, problems at work, and the like. Like turbulent seas, these things try to pull us down, to drown us. And when the typhoons of life hit us, we look at the storm rather than at Jesus, and like Peter, we start to sink.
If like Peter we pray and cry out to Jesus, “Lord, save me,” then Jesus will stretch out his hand to us and catch us. But we are blinded by the storms of life. Because of sin, we do not see Jesus. Satan has given us lead boots. We thought they were the latest fashion and would give us a solid footing. *[After church, Kati Woods mentioned that just like new clothes are often uncomfortable at first, but then we get used to them, in the same way, we are often embarrassed or shamed the first time we commit a certain sin, but then we get used to it and it does not bother us anymore.] Perhaps when we were on land, but life is a sea of sin, a lake of lasciviousness, a river of revenge and regret, a pool of problems, a fountain of frustrating failures, a swamp of shame, a quagmire of craziness, a marsh of mistakes. The lead boots of Satan are doubt, despair, and disbelief. Satan holds out his hand with vain promises and vain hopes that just pull us down to death and hell.
When the disciples in the boat were sinking because of the storm at sea, Jesus came to them. But long before that day, Jesus came to this earth. He was born in Bethlehem. He was born in this world because that is where we were and that is where we needed his salvation. Without his salvation, we are in hell. And that is where Jesus had to go to rescue us. Remember the words of the Apostles’ Creed. “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.” He suffered because we suffer, he died because we die, he descended into hell because that is where we needed to be rescued from. Like Peter, we pray and cry out, “Lord, save me,” and he does. Salvation is resurrection and new life. This salvation is Baptism. Because of the Word and Promise of God, the whole of God’s power is in three drops of baptismal water, but I also like the image of total immersion. It is a symbol of drowning to sin and the things of this world. It is a symbol of death. It is a symbol of washing away the things that kill us. And more than just a symbol, because of the Word and Promise of God, Baptism is resurrection and salvation.
This is why we Christians can walk on the water of life’s problems. It is because we are not walking by our own power. Jesus has us by the hand at every step. This is what gives adventure to the Christian life. This is living by a miracle. It is living within an on-going miracle. Everyday we pray, “Lord, save me.” “Lord, thank you for saving me.”
Jesus brought Peter back into the boat. The boat was where the other disciples were, and when Jesus got in the boat the wind and the storm ceased. They were safe. Let’s face it. Humans cannot walk on water. Therefore, God has given us boats. In church art and design, the church is sometimes depicted as a ship, and the mast is in the shape of the cross of Christ Jesus. The whole church prays, “Lord, save us.” Jesus takes the rudder in his hand to guide us. The wind of the Holy Spirit fills our sails with the breath of faith and scripture and sacraments.
Therefore we join the disciples who were in the boat and worship Jesus, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church