Matthew 14:28-33 … “But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” vs. 30
Our liberal, literal minds are often challenged by the miracle stories in the gospels and we struggle to find satisfactory explanations. Most days we have an easier time with the healings–after all that’s one of the things Jesus did, and many people through history have been known as healers. But walking on water is a different matter–it seems more like “showing off” than actually fulfilling a purpose. And it’s not the sort of thing that can be replicated–we might joke about being able to walk on water, but no one ever really does it. And because that’s always been true, our tendency is to discount Matthew’s story. But when we do that we miss the point! This account really isn’t about walking on water, it’s about faith–and understood from that perspective everyone of us can identify. We’ve all been where Peter found himself, doing something we never dreamed possible, and in an instant, fear grips us, and we begin to sink. What has happened? Well, we’ve lost our faith in ourselves! Peter stopped believing he could walk on water–he didn’t stop trusting in Jesus. In fact, the moment he started to sink he reached out to Jesus for help! And so it is for us! When faith in our own abilities falters, we are never left alone–there’s power for us in the reaching hand of Jesus–and the journey continues.
Thought for the Day: When are times that I have lost faith in myself?
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