Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 (Pentecost 11: Series A)

In his painting “His Mighty Hand,” Yongsung Kim depicts the moment when Jesus rescues Peter. (You can click here to see the painting.)

When other artists have painted this scene, they have given you a good view of both Jesus and Peter. From a distance, you see Jesus standing on the water reaching out toward Peter who is sinking in a storm. Kim, however, has chosen a different perspective. He painted this moment from under the water.

Kim invites you to take your place, submerged under water with Peter. As you look up, the water obscures your vision. The body of Jesus is simply a dark shadow. His face is a little clearer. But clearest of all is His hand, breaking through the surface, reaching out to rescue you.

In his painting, Kim asks you to imagine that you are with Peter, drowning and yet graciously being saved.

What Kim does with imagery in this painting, Matthew does with dialog in his narrative. If you listen to the dialog between Jesus and Peter, you can hear what it is like to be drowning in your prayers, and yet graciously being saved.

As Jesus approaches the boat in the storm, He announces who He is. “It is I.” This self-identification is surrounded with assurance. “Take heart,” He says. And then, “Do not be afraid.” What a powerful presence we have in Jesus. Not only does He walk on water, revealing His power over the storm, but He also comes surrounded with assurance. He has not come to torment or to test. He has come to rescue, to encourage, and to defend His disciples in the midst of a storm.

In the presence of such a powerful self-revelation, however, Peter falls into prayerful confusion. Peter responds to the words of Jesus by saying, “If it is You, Lord, command me to come to You on the water.”

“If it is You,” a first-class conditional sentence in which the protasis is assumed to be true for the sake of argument. Peter says, “If it is You, Lord, and for the sake of argument, let’s assume that it is You, then...” This is not a confident confession in Jesus, like: “Since it is You Lord, command me to come to You on the water.” It is also not a complete dismissal of Jesus: “Yeah. Right. You’re Jesus. If it’s You, then command me to come to You on the water.” This is somewhere in between. “If it is You, and for the sake of argument, let’s say that it is, then...” Peter is wavering here, like water. He wants it to be Jesus, but he is not completely sure.

How many times have we spoken to Jesus like that? How often have we wavered in the water? Have you ever prayed an “If You are...” prayer?

If You really are out there, Jesus, then help me.
If You really love me, Jesus, then fix my marriage.
If You really listen to prayers, Jesus, then help me find a new job.
If You really care, Jesus, then heal my dad’s dementia.

Peter is wavering here, like water. He wants it to be Jesus, but he is not completely sure.

In so many situations in life, we can find ourselves praying like Peter, “If You are the Son of God, then...” And, when we do this, we are confused in our prayers, wavering like the waves of the water, and soon to be drowning like Peter. As James writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (1:5-6).

But that is what is so amazing about this account. When Jesus hears these words from Peter, what does He do? He invites Peter to come to Him. And when Peter fails, He does not let Peter drown. He reaches out and rescues him. Jesus has come to be the Savior of people who cry out to Him, even in prayerful confusion.

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He heard the same kind of language. Satan tempted Jesus with his, “If You are...,” demands. “If You are the Son of God, then command these stones to become bread” (Matthew 4:3). “If You are the Son of God, then throw Yourself down” (Matthew 4:6). When Satan spoke like that to Jesus, Jesus resisted. He repelled him.

Yet again, that is what is so amazing about this narrative. When Jesus hears these words on the mouth of Peter, He does not repel him. He answers him. He invites him. Why? Because Jesus came to defeat Satan, but He did not come to defeat His people. He came to save them. Even when we cry out in wavering prayers, Jesus reaches out to save us with His unwavering grace.

A bruised reed, He will not break. A smoldering wick, He will not snuff out. At the heart of it all lies a simple cry, “Lord, save me,” and a simple response, Jesus, reaching out to rescue His people from dying.

God has immersed you in the waters of baptism. There, He has joined you to the death of His Son. No matter how far down you fall into the wavering waters of “If you are...” prayers, Jesus is there. Today, He has come to say, “I am here. Therefore, take heart and do not be afraid. I have borne the punishment for sin. I have defeated death itself. I have risen from the grave and rule over all creation. Nothing can separate you from My protection and nothing can separate you from My love.” Though we may waver in prayerful confusion, Jesus is risen and ruling in His unwavering love.

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Additional Resources:

Craft of Preaching-Check out our previous articles on Matthew 14:22-33.

Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching Matthew 14:22-33.

Text Week-A treasury of resources from various traditions to help you preach Matthew 14:22-33.

Lectionary Podcast-Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN walks us through Matthew 14:22-33.