Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 14:22-33 on biblegateway.com
Verse 22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. Verse 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, Verse 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. Verse 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. Verse 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. Verse 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Verse 28Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Verse 29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. Verse 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Verse 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Verse 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Verse 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Devotion
I thought rescue missions were about getting INTO the boat! But in today’s text, Jesus calls Peter OUT of the boat! Now Peter, the eager one, after clarifying that it’s really Jesus calling him to such absurdness, obediently jumps out into the risky waves . As the story tells us, he quickly loses sight of Jesus and begins to sink, only to be rescued by Jesus and brought safely back into the boat.
Clearly Jesus is doing the rescuing. But what's he rescuing Peter from? Perhaps he's not rescuing Peter FROM something, but TO something. Perhaps Jesus is calling Peter (and you and me) out of what's familiar and easy and into a faith life that takes new risks. Jesus is calling us TO a life of faith that trusts that Jesus will "walk" the journey with us. Though the seas of our lives may be stormy and unsure, Jesus calls us to "COME, have faith." It is in the "coming" and the trusting that we are rescued.
Prayer
Faithful God, you call us to come in faith and trust in you to navigate our lives. Forgive us when we lose sight of you. Rescue us to a place of peace amidst the storm. Amen.