The Olympics’ watercourse is set up with great care. The rowers in their sculls are able to skitter, water bug like, across the surface of the water. I wonder what would happen if mid course a severe storm suddenly hit.
We know what happened to the disciples in Matthew 14:22-33. They were terrified. Matthew tells us they were terrified at the sight of a figure walking on the water. “It’s a ghost!” they cried out in fear. Then the figure said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
At Jesus invitation, Peter climbed over the gunnels onto the water. He stayed on the water until he became afraid and started to sink. Still, he did the one thing needful. He cried out, “Lord, save me.” The real achievement is not that Jesus walked on the water or that the wind ceased. That’s no big deal for God. The achievement is that he saved Peter, despite his little faith and growing doubt.
“Lord, save me,” are good words for us to speak when we are engulfed in the storms of life that break upon us. Unlike the sculling watercourse, we are not able to lay out life so that it won’t be affected by ill winds. Despite our weak and fearful faith, Jesus answers our “Lord, save me,” with “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
A sermon in rhyme on Matthew 14:22-33 is posted on pastorjansen.typepad.com.
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