Text study for Matthew 14:22-33
Lectionary text for August 7, 2011
When our Gospel selection begins, “Immediately,” I wonder what happened just before we started reading.
First, Jesus learned that John the Baptist had been beheaded — and Jesus tried to get away to pray. But the crowds followed him and with the help of a few of his friends he fed the multitudes (last week’s Gospel).
After all that drama and excitement, I can’t say that I blame Jesus for immediately putting his disciples in a boat, dismissing the crowds and heading up the mountain.
As we now encounter the disciples in a boat being battered by the waves, we can imagine that it’s not just the boat that’s been battered. They all have had a rough time of it recently.
On top of it all, they see someone walking on the water. No wonder Peter asks for proof — “Command me to come to you on the water.” Maybe he has just had enough of the excitement. Or maybe he is getting a bit too confident and proud.
At best, it’s an ominous scene. If we were hearing the story for the first time, perhaps we would be nervous, too, as Peter puts first one tentative foot on the water and then another before going ker-sploosh!
Many times, I’ve read and preached this text painting Peter as the Rock that sinks so predictably. Peter becomes the disciple who is easiest to point to, shaking our heads in disbelief that he would do or say “that.” Because, of course, we would never do or say that! Right.
Right?
On that water so long ago, Peter took a risk and stepped out of the boat. Peter believed first before becoming afraid. Is our call to be more like Peter, taking a step away from a boat that’s battered (but that at least floats!) and having the bravado to command Jesus to call to us?
Or do we need to give up the notion that we can walk on water, admitting our fear and desperately calling, “Lord, save me!”
How does this text resonate with you? Do you need to step out more boldly with an almost too-proud faith that needs more humility and dependence on Jesus? Or, do you need to see Jesus reaching out for you as you flounder about on our own?
Either way, Jesus meets us in our need. Jesus reaches out to save us.
Talkback:
What lessons do you take from Peter? Are you stepping out right behind Peter, or are you huddled with the other disciples in the boat?
How do you connect this story with the feeding of the multitudes from last week? Does the abundance that we celebrate in the meal disappear when the storms batter our boat?
How can someone be too proud or too fearful in faith? How does Jesus bring humility or strength?
Jenn Moland-Kovash is co-pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Palatine, Ill. She is a graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
What does it actually mean for 'Jesus to meet us in our need' or 'Jesus reaches out to save us'? These statements seem to completely lack power in light of the talkback questions... shouldn't one question at least be 'what does this salvation mean for my life?' An encounter with Christ is not trivial, and yet, the focus is not on that encounter. "Lord, save me" is a very important side of the story, but it's only half the story. God's response is the other half.
Pastor Jenn Moland-Kovash: I have been reluctant to comment on your post because I know you have good intentions, but here goes.... What are you saying? Peter is the Rock upon which Jesus Christ founded the Church. He is the Head of the Apostles, the First Pope, martyred in Rome. The only thing dropping like a stone is the Mission Support of the ELCA.
Karen - I appreciate your dedication to commenting, however pointing fault out constantly does very little to build up the body of Christ. You obviously have many issues with the ELCA which is your prerogative, however your statement about mission support is unfair in this context. I see very little 'bashing' of the catholic church occurring on here. As a matter of fact, I read many posts which are attempting to learn from you and hear your point of view.
The question of salvation is an important one and I think Peter is correct in asking what does it mean to 'be saved'. Jesus hardly ever speaks about heaven as a place to go, but as an occurrence now. Salvation is as much about what is occurring now as it is about later. My living into Christ today is salvific in and of itself. Salvation should, in my opinion, say something about how life is lived now.
The other half (or maybe the whole story) is that we were never meant to walk on water. God, in Jesus, is the only reason we are even able to take one step on the water. Our salvation (here and now and eternally) cannot be dependent upon our actions..
Christine: I appreciate your criticism -- this is how we learn from each other. The Mission Support comment was gratuitous. My intention is not to point out faults or to bash; my intent is to find points of reconciliation and, in some minute way, clear up what I consider to be a horrible misunderstanding going back to the 16th century. Part of this awful misunderstanding is this incessant dispute over faith vs works. I think this is just insane. We are saved because God loves us and we love Him. Period. Can't we just leave it at that, and get on with the business of saving this poor world?
Karen: One little quibble responding to the comment, "We are saved because God loves us and we love Him." The reality: We are saved because God loved/loves us even when we didn't/don't love Him. (Romans 5:8, et.al.)
Christine,
I agree that salvation speaks about how life can (not should!) be lived, but that's only one third of the salvation-side of things. The other two thirds are: how Christ's death and resurrection fixes our unfaith in God, and then how that healing fixes our hearts, enabling us to walk on water in the face of the storms, winds, etc tormenting us.