Reaching for Jesus
I did not grow up around boats - no sunny days spent on motorboats or sailboats, not even paddling a canoe. So when, in my twenties, a friend suggested we rent a little Sunfish sailboat and spend the afternoon on Lake Michigan, I was apprehensive. The waves were wavier than I expected on a landlocked lake and I made sure to secure my lifevest very tightly...but during the first hour on the water, I began to relax and enjoy the wind and the feeling of giving over my need for control as I enjoyed the trip.
Until, the weather changed. Dark clouds loomed on the horizon and it was clear that a storm was approaching. The wind picked up and the waves got quite choppy; water splashed up and rain came down and I decided I hated sailing. I was immensely grateful once our little boat reached the dock and I could give thanks for the stability of firm land beneath my feet.
Reading over the Gospel for Sunday - the disciples out in a boat that is being tormented (Greek basanizomenon) by waves - I remembered my own terror felt in that long ago stormy lake. Unsure if they are going to breathe or drown, they are terrified when they have a vision of something, someone approaching on the water, and aren't all that reassured when Jesus tells them not to be afraid.
Peter's response to this Jesus-vision has always intrigued me. What compelled him to challenge this apparition? To climb over the side of the boat? To feel the water made firm as he stood looking into the eyes of his Rabbi? What was Peter wrestling with, what did he need from Jesus in that moment? Our Lenten study group talked about this scene when it came up in season 3 of The Chosen.
The miracle of Jesus walking on water has seeped its way into our cultural psyche: someone who 'walks on water' can either mean they did a task that most thought impossible, or they think themselves better than everyone else and can do no wrong.
But that's missing the point. For the Word through whom all things were created, it's not that surprising that Jesus walks on water. Perhaps what is surprising is that Peter did, too. And while miracles are flashy, the focus in the story is on Peter's response as he floundered: "Lord, save me." His faith that Jesus is the Messiah never falters, or that Jesus is the one who can pull him from the waves...and continue to save him every other time Peter falters, all the way to the cross.
May we all have just enough faith to keep calling out to our Savior every time we falter: "Lord, save me!" And may we always reach for the hand of our Savior, ready to pull us up every time we fall down.
Blessings,
Rev Jill
In Case You Missed It:
If you missed church last week or would like to hear it again,
here is Rev Jill's sermon from August 2nd:
| 
