Simon Peter I: Water-Walking

Matthew 14:1-12

This reading centers on Matthew 14:22-36, but reading the entire chapter gives some perspective. Verses 1-12 tell about the gruesome beheading of John the Baptist. The idea that someone’s head would be brought out on a platter at a birthday party is more than a bit much. Jesus takes time away when he gets the news of his cousin’s death. John’s and Jesus’ relationship had become a little tense at times, partly because some of John’s disciples were becoming followers of Jesus and partly because Jesus was not fulfilling John’s expectations as Messiah. Still, Jesus and he had a special relationship and the grief would have been severe. How long has it been since you took some “down time” to rest and talk with God? Jesus need it, yet we act like we don’t. The rest of the chapter will show Jesus doing great miracles. As we study spiritual gifts, we need to make sure that we are nurturing our love relationship with God, for that’s where the power to share our gifts comes from.

Matthew 14:13-21

These verses tell the feeding of the 5,000 from Matthew’s point of view. The disciples want the crowd to be sent away so they can eat. But Jesus says, “You (with emphasis) give them something to eat.” Quite often, when we see needs around us, we tend to say “They need to do such and such” or “They need to go see whoever,” but Jesus wants the disciples to see that Jesus wants to us them to meet that need. Often the sharing of our natural and spiritual gifts with people right around us is what is needed more than anything else. Question: How is the Christ in you through the gifts of the Spirit, the answer to someone else’s prayers?

Matthew 14:22-36

In class, when you were asked to name the three actions of Jesus you most resonated with, this is one of the three I chose. The atmosphere in which this miracle takes place is utter terror. The Sea of Galilee, which was normally known for its calm, was bounded by mountains on all but the very south end, so the wind would enter and then turn the sea into a whirling death trap. The ghost they think they see is what was known then as the mysterium tremendum(the ghost that they believe showed up just before disaster and death). The ghost they think they see is actually Jesus (who we remember from Luther in our lesson, “was no ghost”), but they can’t see that at the time. Peter then asks to come to Jesus on the water. He is demonstrating the gift of faith. But notice what it looks like, presumption or the ultimate ego trip (“Look at me, I’m as good as Jesus” or “Look at me, none of the rest of you can do this’). We do need to examine our motives, because presumption and self-centeredness are always around. But don’t be surprised if people criticize you when you share the gift of faith. One of the criticisms we get at St. Luke’s is that we are not very “Methodist.” I laugh because we are better connected to the United Methodist Church as pastors and laity than we have been over the last 30 years. We are also creative, daring, and innovative in ministry as we reach out to people. For me there is nothing more Methodist or Christian than that.

Peter starts putting his spiritual gift of faith into practice, step by step in the turbulent waters around him. The impossible is becoming the possible. But then he becomes distracted by the waves. He takes his eyes off Jesus and it’s swim time. One of my favorite old hymns is “Love Lifted Me”, which is a commentary on this miracle.

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me, love lifted me
When nothing else could help, love lifted me
Love lifted me, love lifted me
When nothing else could help, love lifted me.

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves
He will lift you by his love, out of the angry waves
He's the Master of the sea, billows his will obey
He your Saviour wants to be, be saved today.

Peter cries out to Jesus to save him and Jesus does that. Not every effort in sharing our spiritual gifts will be successful or pure. Later, Peter’s record will improve.

The passage finishes with more of the miracles of Jesus. The miracles mentioned in verse 1 made Herod think that the beheaded John the Baptist had resurrected and came back as Jesus. Throughout this chapter, the focus is on Jesus. So it is with our spiritual gifts. Our gifts are given for the benefit of people for the glory of God. They are meant to make the love of Jesus Christ real. How is God doing that in and through you?