Jesus rescues those who cry out in fear because that is how our God operates.
A number of years ago, there was a popular book on the Christian bookshelves entitled If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. Full disclosure, I have never read the book. However, I have often been bothered by the title. After all, it seems to make Peter’s stumbling stroll across the waves into a model of faith. The title appears to imply following Jesus requires you to muster up a great deal of courage and faith if you are ever going to enter into the thrilling life of following Jesus. Only two people in the history of the world have ever walked on water: Jesus (of course) and Peter who boldly and courageously left the boat to follow Jesus. Sure, he stumbled on the way, but at least he went! So much better than those cowards who did not have Peter’s bold faith and stayed in the boat.
Again, I have never read the book. I hope the caricature I just painted does not represent what the book says. But, I have heard one too many sermons that have used this account of Peter walking on the water as a model of faith. I am not convinced this is what Matthew wants us to take from this account. So, if Peter’s actions are not the model of faithful obedience to Christ, how are we to preach this text for our hearers?
This would be a great Sunday to employ the Biblical Story Interrupted sermon structure. Instead of rushing through the text to teach a lesson about faith and obedience, slow down and take a close examination of each event that takes place. As you do this, make sure you champion the work and words of Christ in the text, not on Peter. After all, as you look closely at this text, you will see Peter’s actions actually cause him to sink... like a rock... get it?
Begin by setting the stage. Jesus has just finished feeding the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. His cousin, John the Baptist, had just been killed by Herod. He had spent a long day performing miracles. It was time for Jesus to pray. He immediately sent the disciples across the sea in a boat. After the boat was a long way from shore, Jesus decided to make His way across a rather windy sea by strolling on the water sometime between 3:00 am and 6:00 am.
Pause here and briefly discuss just how shocking this whole scene is. It is worth your time to demonstrate how Jesus is doing things that only God can do. Just as God fed the Israelites in the wilderness with miraculous bread, so Jesus did the same for the five thousand. Just as God “alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves” (Job 9:8), so Jesus walks on the sea to arrive at His destination. And it is utterly terrifying.
The disciples see this and immediately react with fear. Wouldn’t you? It is not every day you see someone walking on the water PAST your boat! They cry out in fear, believing this water-walker to be some kind of ghost. But, in their fear, Jesus says, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (14:27).
Pause here to discuss the scene. The stage is set for the unbelief of the disciples to be met with comforting Word of Christ. The disciples are afraid and they do not see clearly. It is not until Jesus speaks that they can recognize Him. It is the Word of Christ which soothes our fears. God Himself is quite frightening apart from His Word. We see the evils of this world all around us, we hear of His impending judgment on sinners, and we do not recognize Him in the fears of our lives until we hear His Word of compassion, of absolution, of mercy: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” That Word is enough for us.
It is the Word of Christ which soothes our fears.
At least, that Word should be enough to calm our fears and assuage our doubts. But, then Peter, as is par for the course, speaks up in a rather foolish way: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (14:28). Jesus then bids Peter to come!
Pause here to point out the embarrassing reality of Peter’s words. This is hardly the cry of faith. Peter does not actually seem to believe the Word Jesus has spoken. Jesus just said, “It is I.” And Peter essentially says, “OK... prove it!” “Prove it” is not the cry of faith. This is testing the claims of God. Yet, Jesus is still compassionate! He invites Peter to come to Him on the water. This is not some grand act of faith on Peter’s part, but it is a gracious Word from Christ that draws Peter out!
Back to the narrative. Peter walks to Jesus, but it does not take much time for Peter to notice it is windy! These gusts of wind are enough to draw his attention away from Jesus and to forget the Word of the One on the waves. And, Peter, our rock, sinks! Now, Peter is utterly terrified and He cries out, “Lord, save me” (14:30)! At this point, Jesus grabs him up and takes a soaking wet Peter back to the boat. Far from commending Peter for his courageous journey of faith, Jesus asks, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt” (14:31)?
At this point, discuss the fact that Peter’s faith is finally demonstrated properly, not when he is testing Jesus, but when he is drowning and crying out for salvation! Faith does not put Jesus to the test, but it cries out for mercy when it has nothing left. Faith recognizes its own poverty and the power of the One who can save. It was not until Jesus let Peter drown that Peter finally realized this One who can walk on the water has the power to save.
As they get back into the boat, the storm ceases and the disciples worship Jesus, confessing His name! “Truly you are the Son of God” (14:33)! Jesus, of course, receives their praises because that is proper thing for God to do!
This is not an account about the strength and courage (or lack thereof) of Peter so much as it is about Jesus doing what God does. As you work your way through this account, continue to emphasize how Jesus is revealing His nature as God. Jesus walks on water because that is what God does. Jesus calms the fears of His people because that is what God does. Jesus is patient, even to those who doubt, because that is how God is. Jesus rescues those who cry out in fear because that is how our God operates. Jesus receives the praises of His people, praises due God alone, because that is who Jesus is.
The proclamation in the text will come as you demonstrate the ways in which Jesus still does this for you and for your hearers. You and I doubt, we question God, and our faith wavers. But Jesus, our Lord and our God, is always there to give us the certainty of His Word. It is ours, not to question this, but to hear in faith and give Jesus the praise due His name.
God bless your preaching!
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Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out 1517’s resources 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.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
The Pastor’s Workshop-Check out all the great preaching resources from our friends at the Pastor’s Workshop!
