Sunday, November 13, 2016

"Getting a Hand Up" (Matthew 14:22-36)


Introduction

When Peter began to sink, Jesus “caught him” (v.31).

Life is full of moments where we find ourselves out of our depth, and could possibly sink. Peter did … and Jesus “caught him”.

Those moments could include disappointment, grief, loneliness, hurt, confusion, anger, frustration – all potentially leading to “doubt” … where is God in this? Sometimes my mind gets so full of stuff that I’m disturbed about, I feel that I’m going to explode or collapse! But Jesus ‘catches me’.


Narrative Context

This incident follows the feeding of the five thousand. After such a major effort, it is totally understandable that Jesus wanted a break in which to pray. So Jesus sent his disciples off to their next adventure across the lake, while he himself took the opportunity of some quiet prayer up the mountain.

Later, while still sailing across the water in their boat, the disciples got into a bit of trouble … with a strong and adverse wind and big waves. Following his prayer time, Jesus walked on the water toward where the boat was. It was as if the disciples should NOT have been afraid, because Jesus was close by … but they were afraid. As humans, fear means that we don’t see clearly, and our perspective gets skewed. They didn’t even recognise Jesus! Not seeing properly, and given that the approaching figure was walking on water, the disciples were looking for other explanations, and thought this figure might be a ghost.

Jesus then spoke up to reassure his disciples, and encouraged them to stop being afraid. If Jesus can walk on water, and if the God, who Jesus wholly represents, created the whole universe, then one little storm should not divert these disciples too much! “Take heart, it is I” (v.27).

Peter wasn’t yet wholly convinced – “Lord, if it is you …” (v.28a); he was seeking a bit of proof. But at the same time, if it was Jesus, Peter courageously wanted to emulate his master (v.28b). Peter was willing to get out of the boat, and wanted to have a crack at walking on water, like Jesus was doing (and in very rough weather at that). A little brash perhaps, but why not. This is what a follower does! For Peter to say, “command me to come to you” (v.28b), truly acknowledges this leader and follower relationship. We see an open window of opportunity, and we say, ‘Lord, if it is you, I’m in’! We will soon find out if it is the Lord!!

Peter wanted to walk on water … if Jesus was walking on water. If Jesus could defy danger, Peter wanted to defy danger too! Jesus said on at least one occasion to his disciples, “You will do even greater things” (John 14:12). I don’t think Peter thought that he could actually do this in his own ability, especially not in these storm conditions – so this is an example of believing that Jesus could do something in and through him … lift him to a higher level of experience; or as Bill Crowder puts it, “Peter was “abandoning himself to the ability of Christ”.

Jesus, I think, would admire this boldness, and that Peter would take this risk in front of all his friends – they may have laughed if things went badly. Even though Jesus knew how it would turn out, he gave Peter his chance. God is ready to give us a chance to exercise our leader/follower relationship, knowing that we are unlikely to get it completely right the first time! God is very forgiving of our mistakes; but, may I say, not so instantly understanding or forgiving of [any of] our reluctance!

Jesus said to Peter, “Come” (v.29)! ‘Let’s see what happens’! See how far faith can take you. Peter actually walked on water! In that moment, Peter trusted absolutely in Jesus, and acted on that trust. Peter was a follower of Jesus, not just in theory (but in practice)! For faith is about testing all our resources against the unknown, and in the process, discovering our unique potential as God’s person [Frost & Hirsch].

But Peter was still human, and also just learning. Look at verse 30. Peter was put off by the strong wind. The wind didn’t necessarily get any stronger – we actually read that Peter “noticed the strong wind”. Peter had allowed a circumstance around him to distract him and break his focus. It’s as if he looked around to see if there was anything that could go wrong, and then “noticed” that potentially there was! Peter had moved from a positive faith-filled mindset to a negative doubt-ridden mindset … in the blink of an eye. Peter was originally walking toward Jesus (v.29b), presumably looking straight at Jesus. But when he took his eyes off Jesus, he “noticed” the storm conditions – and they (not he … Jesus) became Peter’s primary reference point. Without Jesus in his ‘minds-eye’, Peter was left with only human resources. Whatever ball-game we play, if we take our eyes off the ball, the outcome goes out the window.

We would not blame him, would we?! Think of all the possible distractions and dangers we encounter on a daily basis, and consider whether any of us could remain completely focussed for any length of time. We would not judge Peter! Jesus didn’t! When we step out in authentic faith and find ourselves in a mess of failure, Jesus does NOT judge us – he loves us for trying.

Peter lost his focus, became frightened at the complexity of his situation – then began to sink (v.30b). Notice that this sinking feeling … followed the fear that had replaced the faith Peter had started out with. It wasn’t the wind and the water that led to Peter beginning to sink, but the fear that had crept in. Fear is the enemy of faith. {As we shall see, ‘doubt’ is only a problem if it is NOT handled properly.}

Peter then did all there was left to do! He cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me” (v.30b)! Jesus ‘saves’ us the first time that we sincerely repent of our wrongdoing and set our mind on living in a Godly way. We are then ‘saved’. But, we also have to put our salvation and faith into action to have it tested, so we can grow. Thus, in the cut and thrust of life, we often need to be ‘saved’ – sometimes just from ourselves, let alone from all the evil that could impact us. So Peter, a bold and faithful disciple, when he reached a low ebb, cried out, “Lord, save me” … and immediately Jesus “reached out his hand and caught him” (v.31) … he “caught” Peter by the hand … and ‘saved’ him! And Jesus would not let Peter go!

Which is better? To do nothing because it seems too hard – or to give it a go, and have a learning experience? It seems to me that to fail a little and then be “caught” by Jesus, is better than missing the adventure altogether. It seems to me that being “caught” by Jesus is rather a personal and intimate and beautiful possibility, that doesn’t happen if you avoid the challenge. We could apply this to all the challenges of life, but the original context most relates to ‘discipleship’ i.e. the way in which we follow Jesus come what may. It is only those who risk failure that can truly know how powerful and loving Jesus is. Jesus will bring us through wiser and stronger, even while we wear a few bruises.

But Jesus also said something to Peter … NB. while he held his hand (v.31b): “You of little faith, why did you doubt”? We could see this as a bit of a ‘rebuke’; but how this statement was delivered would be all important. In frustration and exasperation? Or in love and compassion?? Given his boldness, and the risk Peter took – I think the latter! In any case, any ‘rebuke’ has to be targeted toward the best outcomes (in a person’s life). Later Jesus would have to say to Peter, “Get behind me Satan”, because Peter had totally misunderstood the nature of Jesus’ ministry (and was trying to influence Jesus into a different direction). Even this ‘rebuke’ was targeted toward Peter’s growth and greater understanding.


A Lesson

The lesson here is that it wasn’t so much wrong to doubt, but unnecessary. And it wasn’t so much wrong to doubt, but wrong to let it grow into fear. What do we do with our doubt? Give it to Jesus, and he will take our hand!! Peter had started to let “doubt” get the better of him, so he had to be “caught” … not just have his hand taken. We may have doubts about God’s existence, whether God really loves us, whether we are really saved, whether our prayers are heard, how come we are so sick, will anything get better, whether others can change, whether I can change, or many other possibilities. Let’s not let doubt undo us – let’s put our doubts into the hands of Jesus, but before we begin to sink.

When ‘doubt’ cuts in, before it takes us away from God and out of fellowship with our brothers and sisters, we should quickly say “Lord, save me”. Mother Teresa, now Saint Teresa, was one who reportedly endured ‘doubt’ because of periods of depression, yet in the hands of Jesus, was able to continue her remarkable ministry of compassion. And we should be sure to catalogue in our memory bank the many times that Jesus has held us and “caught” us in the past. The resolution of our doubt can be growthful for us, because we are reassured of God’s presence. And, we know eventually how Peter, in the hands of the Holy Spirit, was so very effective in sharing the good news and living for Jesus.

This incident resolved with a calming of the seas. Everything had been put right. Jesus and Peter now hand in hand – leader and follower. Courage had been shown … and Jesus had been there for Peter. The other disciples, who had witnessed all this from the boat, worshipped, and concluded that Jesus was indeed the Son of God (v.32). This was then followed by many healings, because people were coming to believe in Jesus (v.36). Don’t we see here … Jesus in two capacities at the same time! The powerful Jesus who makes such a dramatic difference on a broad scale, and also the tender Jesus who takes me personally by the hand – “great enough to deserve our obedience, yet humble enough to call us friends” (JB Schuldt in ODB 11/11/16).

I’m really glad to know that when I hit bottom, or feel that I’m heading that way, or even when shadows are cast across what I believe [with all my heart], that Jesus is close by, and will reach out his hand, and, if necessary, ‘catch’ me. In those times when I’m feeling outside my comfort zone, which is where in ministry you need to be prepared to go {and that’s all of us}, that I’m free of the fear of failure, because if it gets too hot, Jesus will take me by the hand, and, if necessary, ‘catch’ me.


Conclusion

Jesus, please hold my hand. Jesus, when I am falling, please catch me. Thank-you Lord Jesus, that when Peter was doubtful, yet bold, you caught him. Thank-you that you are doing the same for me. For, I am carried in the arms of grace and love Divine. Let us dig deeply into the resources of God. Let us abandon ourselves to the ability of Christ Jesus our Lord and friend. I will rise from waters deep, into the saving arms of God. I will sing salvation songs, Jesus Christ has set me free.



No comments:

Post a Comment