“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.“ He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened. For three weeks we studied the parables of Jesus. The parables give us, as they did for the disciples, insight into the mysteries of the Kingdom. We are now in several weeks where we will study the miracles of Jesus. These range from the feeding of the multitudes, healings, and demonstrations of Jesus’ power over nature itself.
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.“ He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened
For three weeks we studied the parables of Jesus. The parables give us, as they did for the disciples, insight into the mysteries of the Kingdom.
We are now in several weeks where we will study the miracles of Jesus. These range from the feeding of the multitudes, healings, and demonstrations of Jesus’ power over nature itself.
The Kingdom of God is indeed a place of miracles experienced. They call us to a response.
Today, Jesus demonstrates His power over nature. His walking on the water harkens to the Israelites journey through the sea as God brought them from slavery to freedom by His powerful hand. We hear of Elijah’s encounter with God through the power of nature – and not its worst, but rather its gentlest.
Those encounters and todays between Jesus and Peter remind us that God responds to our asking by His grace – and an expectation that we be faithful.
The Israelites feared the pursuing Egyptians and cried out to God who saved them through the waters. He answered. God took away fear.
The excerpt concerning Elijah doesn’t tell the whole store. He was in that cave because he was afraid of Jezebel’s anger. He was running away and just the prior day he prayed for death. There in the cave his fears and prayer for death were answered by God in the gentlest of ways. God took away fear.
In the storm Peter prayed and was heard. Jesus called him forward and he listened. In this case what began in confidence and trust failed on fear. Peter was saying: ‘Jesus, this storm is more powerful than You. Your power and grace are not sufficient for me.’
Miracles call us to a response. Everything that has happened in this place and in our Church is powerful proof of God’s presence and grace. The question, what to do when we perceive fear creeping in, wherever it might come from? Let our response be confidence and trust in Jesus and a step outside the boat unto the waters He stills.
