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August 7, 2005
The Impossible Walk
Matthew 14:22-33
"You of little faith." Do you think? Maybe it's just me, but seems walking on water would take more than a "little faith." A little faith. That's all it takes, according to the Lord. Getting into an argument with the Lord about faith is likely a big mistake. But if it takes just a little faith to walk on water, what does it take to do other things that seem, well, a good deal less difficult? If it's a matter of just a "little faith" to take what seems an impossible walk on water, how much faith does it take for other things?
Take coming to worship. For some of us just showing up at church on Sunday mornings seem to be on a par with walking on water. I mean, consider that fewer than half of those who claim to be members of our congregation show up for worship. And that's not even average for a Presbyterian Church. Rick Ufford-Chase, the Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, has made his slogan: get in the boat with Jesus. How much faith does it take to come worship? Maybe coming to worship is too scary. Can't predict whom you'll see when you do come? Can't predict what you might be asked to do if you show up. Coming to worship can be scary, I guess.
You and I are probably never going to try to walk on water. We're not going to ask. But there's a good chance we will be told: come ahead. Everyday is an act of faith. It may not be walking on water. But it's still scary. There's a lot out there to be afraid of. And everyday when you step out into it, there's a good chance you'll be scared to death. The Lord comes to us in the midst of it all. "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Every time I read about boats in the Bible makes me think of Noah and his ark of all those animals. Through the years, Christians have taken the ark as a kind of symbol for the church. The ark's the way creatures got saved from the terrible, worldwide flood. The church is where the Lord collects those who are being saved. That's why we call the part of the church where we gather "the nave." Now all you poker players are probably hearing "knave," and thinking Jack-of-Diamonds. But you, know the "nave" is, in a way, for "knaves" and, I guess, "knavettes." Someone has said of Noah's ark: if it weren't for the storm on the outside, you couldn't stand the smell on the inside. I can imagine that the smell of fear was thick that night Peter and the others saw the Lord walking on the water.
Don't you just love the conversation Peter and Jesus have? Peter's about to get in way over his head. Such little faith. When the boatload of disciples saw Jesus walking toward them on the water, could it have made them think of the ghost stories they'd grown up on? All those nights at Presbyterian camp, around the fire, telling each other tales few of them really believed, but which still got them excited and nervous. Then here's Jesus coming at them this way. A ghost. We know about ghosts. Nobody has to tell us about being haunted. Memories fade in and out. Don't be afraid. But how could they not be? Don't be afraid. Maybe Peter didn't hear, or maybe he wasn't really listening. Don't be afraid. Sometimes we're just too scared to hear, to listen.
Peter talks when he should listen. It's easy just to chatter on, even say foolish things, when we're scared. "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Maybe he was thinking that be best way to deal with your fears is to face them. And when we're scared who doesn't want somebody to do something to take care of us. Nine-eleven was a really scary. All of us, leaders, too, were frightened. Do something. We offered prayers, full of hurt and violence. Before we knew it war. We ought not have to remind one another to be careful what we ask for. Why would Peter ask to walk out to someone who scares you so much you and your buddies raise the water level of the lake? I don't know whyever Peter thought his walking out on the water would undo his fright.
"Lord, if it is you … " Don't you hear it in what Peter asks, something like a test? "…if it is you … A test. We like giving them, but not taking them. It's a lot safer that way—for Peter, for us. If the Lord refuses, then doesn't that prove it's not really the Lord? If the Lord doesn't pass our test…well, there you have it.
"You of little faith..." Was the Lord talking about Peter's faltering and sinking? Or was he talking about all of them being afraid? They were all scared witless. Peter was sinking. The rest just sat there. The Lord took Peter in hand. All of them were afraid.
"Truly you are the Son of God." That's what those same disciples said when Jesus got in the boat and the winds quieted. You and I are probably never going to try to walk on water. We're not going to ask. But there's a good chance we will be told: come ahead. Everyday is an act of faith. It may not be walking on water. But it's still scary. There's a lot out there to be afraid of. And everyday when you step out into it, is there a good chance you'll be scared to death? The Lord comes to us in the midst of it all. "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
You know, Peter did just fine so long as he kept his attention on the Lord. He let the sound of the storm get to him. He got scared and started sinking. Keeping our attention on the Lord is the key. It's not that we don't know the storm's going on, that there are troubles in the world and in our own lives. But they're not the focus of our attention. It's easy to lose our focus. We're easily diverted. When Peter lost his focus he asked for help. The Lord reached out and took him in hand and got him back in the boat.
The bread and the cup. That's the way the Lord comes to us. That's the way the Lord reaches out. That's the way the Lord takes us in hand when we're falling, sinking, losing it. "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
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First Presbyterian
Church of Cedar Rapids
310 Fifth Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Phone: 319-364-6148
E-mail: church@fpccr.org
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