Deep Water

Scripture

Matthew 14:22-32

²² Immediately [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

²⁸ Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  (NRSV)

Devotion

Today's devotion picks up where Wednesday's left off.  Having just learned of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus had gone off to pray by himself.   The disciples, meanwhile, are trying to follow Jessus's instructions to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and wait for him there.  But they disciples have a problem: after they set off, the wind and waves turned against them, and they are stuck far from the shore.  Without Jesus there to guide them, his followers are literally out to sea.  When Jesus shows up walking on the water toward them, their fear becomes sheer terror.  Even Peter--the only one brave enough to get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus--becomes so afraid of the wind and waves that he begins to sink.

This entire event is a metaphor of sorts.  You see, Jesus's followers have a lot to fear.  Like Jesus, they have just learned that John the Baptist has been killed by King Herod.  The disciples know that Jesus is likely to be next on the Roman Empire's hit list.  They also know that Rome doesn't usually stop with just killing a movement's leader; it comes for their followers as well.  Possible execution wasn't what the disciples had bargained for when they first agreed to follow Jesus.  Back then, Jesus's future seemed bright, and it was easy to answer his call.  Now, an ill wind is blowing their way, the disciples tremble at the thought of the destructive forces closing in on them.  Do they trust Jesus enough to cast caution aside and follow him across the storm-tossed sea, or do they turn around and row as hard as they can in the opposite direction?

We all face this dilemma at some point in our lives.  We feel Christ calling us to do something, and set out in the direction he's pointing.  But, once we're out there, trouble arises.  Suddenly the way forward seems much less clear.  Over time, what started out as firm ground beneath our feet has become storm-tossed seas, and we are terrified of sinking.  It is at that moment that we find ourselves wondering we truly esus enough to stride towards him across the deep waters of life.  Do we have what it takes to be like Peter and reach towards Jesus, crying "Lord, save me" as our faith begins to falter?  Or do we cling to our little boat in hopes that it will somehow wash up on shore far, far from where Jesus was calling us to go?

God calls each of us in different ways. Some are called to teach.  Some to cure the sick.  Some to be there for people in need of a safe place to land.  Some to help cleanse the world of its racism, sexism, homophobia or other forms of injustice.  Whatever God is calling us to do out there on the storm-tossed seas, the thing to remember is that we are not out there alone.  Just it when it seems like we are about to go under, we will see Jesus walking toward us across the waves.  And if we are brave enough to leave the safety of our boats behind and call for his help, Jesus will surely reach out to save us.  He will teach us to not just walk on the deep water, but to dance there.

Jesus's followers may have had trouble getting out of the physical boat, but they eventually learned their lesson.  After his death, resurrection, and ascension, they would follow his will by setting forth on the dangerous mission of spreading the gospel to all the world.  They were mocked, persecuted, and even killed.  Through it all, they kept calling out to Jesus for help. Each time time they did so, Christ reached out and grabbed them...giving them what they needed to complete their journeys.  And he will do the same for us.

The next time that we feel out to sea, let's look for signs of Jesus walking out to meet us there.  And when we find him, let us pray for the courage to get out of our little boats and reach towards him for help.    Almost before we know it, we will find ourselves dancing atop the deep water.

Prayer

Christ, we know that following you isn't always as easy as we expected it to be.  Give us the faith to keep going in the direction you would have us go.  Inspire us to be like Peter and call out to you for help when we are in danger of sinking.  We trust that when you reach out to save us, we will be given everything we need to navigate these uncharted waters.  Amen.