Sermon by Herman Kauffman
Crest Manor Church of the Brethren
July 18, 2004
A Boat Ride to the Other
Side
Matthew 14:22-34
I've never been in a boat on the lake
during a storm. I've never walked on water.
So how relevant is this story from Matthew's Gospel for me, for
us, today?
A series of stories in the middle of Matthew's Gospel brings perspective for this morning's text. Chapter 13 closes with the rejection of Jesus' ministry in his hometown; followed in Chapter 14 by the death of John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin and forerunner and baptizer of Jesus. How will Jesus react, first to rejection at home and then the violent death of Cousin John?
We read that Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to be by himself. But we read further that Jesus is followed and there by the seashore Jesus shows compassion for the sick and feeds the crowd of 5,000. How does Jesus react to rejection and death? By continuing his ministry with compassion for the sick and the hungry. The breaking of bread among the 5,000 is a preview of the breaking of bread with the disciples in the Upper Room. It marks the beginning step of building the church.
With this background we come to our text from the latter half of Chapter 14. The breaking of bread is followed by Jesus directing his disciples into a boat to cross to the "other side." Now you need to know that the boat is symbolic of the church and the "other side" is Gentile Land. Jesus sends the church on a boat ride to the "other side."
While Jesus enters into a time of prayer, the church sails off across the waters only to encounter a storm. The boat is battered by the waves and the winds are against them. That is, the church is struggling with its mission to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations."
Jesus will later reassure his church, saying, "I am with you always..." And even now we read that Jesus came walking to them on the sea. There are those who would make this the central focus of the story - Jesus walking on the water, a miracle! But for those in the church, Jesus' presence in the storms of life is what we may expect.
The disciples in the boat, the early church, however, were terrified! "It's a ghost!" they cried out in fear. Jesus speaks to them, "It is I," and then those words repeated so often in the New Testament: "...do not be afraid." The Church experiences the storm but Jesus is nearby to reassure them; to enter into the boat until it reaches the "other side" where the ministry of Jesus and the church will continue.
This is the Gospel story. It is told by three Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, and John.
Oh, but there is another story in Matthew's Gospel that is not found elsewhere, and it is inserted right in the middle of the first story - the story of Peter's attempt to walk on the water.
In this "story within a story," after Jesus speaks to the disciples in the boat: "...It is I, do not be afraid," Peter replies: "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
Throughout the New Testament, we find Peter as that disciple who is at the fore-front of a new adventure. According to Matthew, when Jesus calls disciples, it is Peter and his brother Andrew who were the first to follow Jesus. They were fishermen, casting their net into the sea when Jesus called, "Follow me...," they immediately left their nets and followed him. Peter is impulsive and eager for a new adventure.
Later, when Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" It is Simon Peter who quickly responds: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus blesses him with the name Peter (meaning rock) and Peter's leadership role in the church is established. But almost as quickly, Peter rebukes Jesus for speaking of his approaching death. Peter would tell Jesus how to go about his own ministry, and Jesus calls Peter a "stumbling block" for setting his mind on human rather than divine things.
Six days later on the Mount of Transfiguration, it is Peter who would remain with Jesus in this new and mysterious place forsaking former ways for a new and improved life on the mountain. Peter is that disciple who will tell Jesus that even if all the others forsake him, he (Peter) will never forsake him ... and that same night Peter denies three times that he even knows Jesus. Finally, it is Peter who is quick to act without thinking, reaching for his sword to protect Jesus from those who have come to arrest him in the Garden.
Peter is impulsive and acts boldly for Jesus. Though we are not all as bold and impulsive as Peter, I believe those were characteristics that Jesus loved about Peter which led to his being the ROCK of the early church.
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus replies: "Come."
And so it is that Peter steps out in faith. I love the title of John Ortberg's book based on this story, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get out of the Boat. Ortberg writes (p. 17):
Put yourself in Peter's place for a moment. You have a sudden insight into what Jesus is doing ... He's inviting you to go on the adventure of your life. But at the same time, you're scared to death. What would you choose - the water or the boat?
The boat is safe, secure, and comfortable.
On the other hand, the water is rough. The waves are high. The wind is strong. There's a storm out there. And if you get out of the boat - whatever your boat might happen to be - there's a good chance you might sink.
But if you don't get out of the boat, there's a guaranteed certainty that you will never walk on the water. This is an immutable law of nature.
If you want to walk on the water, you've got to get out of the boat.
In Matthew's Gospel, this is the 2nd time that Peter has responded to Jesus invitation to "Come" by stepping out in faith. Earlier he had left his fishing nets and boat behind him to follow Jesus. This time Peter is stepping out in faith, leaving behind the fear and terror present in the boat; feeling a need to move closer to Jesus as the boat moves through the storm to the "other side."
We in the church today can identify with Peter. The church is still tossed about by a variety of storms and we are frozen by fear even as we attempt to minister to those on the "other side." In the midst of our storms, we desire a "closer walk with Jesus" -- and with a burst of impulsiveness, we step out in faith.
Peter steps out onto the water and begins walking toward Jesus.
[Wow! This is so cool! There is Jesus ... and I'm actually walking on water. (look down at feet) ... Water?!? I can't walk on water - it's liquid not a solid. What was I thinking? Oh, I'm sinking! Lord, save me!]
Peter stepped out in faith, walking toward Jesus until he lowered his vision and stared at his feet. No longer were his eyes focused on Jesus ... and Peter began to sink. Lord, save me!
When Jesus reaches out his hand to catch Peter, it is nothing less than Jesus does for you and I. He reaches out to us, catching us, saving us, saying to us: You of little faith, why did you doubt?
It's not that we don't have faith. It's not that we never step out in faith. It's that we have so little faith ... and so much doubt. We could ponder that all morning. But before we reflect on how little faith we may have, remember what Jesus said about faith and the mustard seed. A little faith is enough to do great things.
Take Peter and his little faith, add Jesus, and put them both back in the boat with the rest of the church; and some amazing things begin to happen. The wind ceased; the storm comes to an end; and the church begins to worship together! And this account concludes with Jesus and the church crossing over to the other side to continue the ministry of Jesus together.
This scriptural story raises three important questions for the church today: First, Where is this boat going? This Crest Manor boat is in the midst of transition. Pastor Larry will be leaving and the search for a new pastor will begin. To some this may feel like being in the midst of a storm at sea. But the question I put to you this morning is: Where is this church going? Are you on a mission? Has Jesus sent you on a mission to those on the "other side?" Perhaps to those on the other side of the street, the city, the world; or perhaps to those on the other side of the political spectrum or those who are on the other side, culturally or ethnically. Where is the "other side" where you will continue the ministry of Jesus? Where is this boat going?
Secondly, Who among you will step out in faith? Who at Crest Manor will take on the role of Peter to be bold and impulsive for Jesus? Who among you will step out in faith and lead the way? Who will risk making the mistakes Peter made that the church might enter fully into this great adventure in faith? Who will step out in faith?
Finally, Where is Jesus? Have you been moving across the water while Jesus is still on the mountain in prayer? Has Jesus come walking across the water toward you and you failed to notice or you mistook him for a ghost and were terrified? Have you heard the voice of Jesus over the sound of the storm: "It is I; do not be afraid." Have you stepped out in faith, accepting the invitation to "Come" only to lose your focus by taking your eyes off Jesus; thereby experiencing that sinking feeling? Where is Jesus? Are you continuing to run the race with perseverance ... looking to Jesus as the pioneer and perfecter of faith?
These are important questions for this boat-full of disciples to struggle with in the months ahead.
But today we come to worship this Jesus who saves us from ourselves, calls us out, and sends us forth to unknown persons on the "other side." Today, also, we celebrate with Sister Ann as she steps out of the boat to walk on the water, to encounter Jesus amidst the wind and the waves, and to risk a new adventure in faith. To be Licensed to Ministry in the Church of the Brethren is indeed a time of testing one's call, discerning the way to the "other side" and what ministry is waiting for us there.
The movement toward licensing involves all the various elements of this scripture:
Ann, you've stepped out of the boat before, completing ministry training in the TRIM program nearly a decade ago. But I've heard you say how easy it is to look down when you step onto the water. You've been rescued by Jesus, dragged back into the boat here at Crest Manor and encouraged by friends to step out again. You haven't given up. You've taken the risk, and today, surrounded by these disciples, you will take the vows and be licensed to ministry in the Church of the Brethren.
I commend you and conclude with these thoughts:
May God bless and guide each of you into becoming all that God means for you to be. Amen.