Scripture Lesson

From the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 14:

²² Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. ²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

²⁸ Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ ²⁹He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. ³⁰But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ ³²When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

"Fear Sinks"

A Sermon Preached by
The Rev. Jean Niven Lenk

at the First Congregational Church of Stoughton

United Church of Christ

www.conquerfear.com. That is a website address for what, do you think? www.conquerfear.com.

…

It is the website address for the Miracle Swimming Institute, which is headquartered in Sarasota, FL, and has branches all over the country. On its website, the Miracle Swimming Institute states that its lessons are specifically geared to “adults afraid of water.” And that’s important, because as long as you’re afraid of water, you’ll never learn to swim. And the reason is -- fear sinks.

We see that in this morning’s Gospel lesson from Matthew. As the story opens, the disciples are traveling by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, leaving Jesus with some time to be alone with God and pray. Once the disciples are out on the sea, however, a fierce storm blows up, and the boat is buffeted by the waves.

The Sea of Galilee was known for its sudden violent storms, and the ancient Hebrews felt so powerless in the face of its unpredictability that, in their stories and in their thinking, water represented chaos and a threatening force opposed to God. When they wanted to stress God's authority, they spoke of Yahweh's power over the sea, as in the words of Psalm 107: "He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed."

Out in that boat on the Sea of Galilee, in that unexpected storm, that unforeseen chaos, the disciples are frightened. But then, through the raging tempest, they see a figure; someone appears to be walking across the sea! Who is it? they wonder; who could it be? Perhaps a ghost? Startled at seeing someone walk on water, they don't at first recognize Jesus. But then he speaks to them these comforting words: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."

Peter responds, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus says, “Come.” As a show of faith, Peter – impetuous as always – accepts Jesus’ invitation and tries to join him on the water. He even succeeds for a moment or two. But then Peter realizes just what he is doing; trying to walk on water is crazy enough in itself, but he’s trying it in the middle of a terrible storm. Fear overtakes him -- or, as my son describes it – “Peter freaks out!”-- and he begins to sink.

Fear sinks. A tense, frightened body will sink, but that same body -- relaxed -- somehow floats. Perhaps you know it from your own life. The fear that paralyzes, the fear that turns a buoyant spirit into a sinking stone. Fear that keeps you from stepping out, from growing and changing and living.

Fear sinks. And when the waters of chaos and confusion threaten, it’s difficult to trust Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid.” It is even harder to walk into the chaos and confusion when Jesus says, “Come.”

Yes, water can be dangerous. The ancient Hebrews knew that. But water is also the symbol of the bond Christ has made with us – the waters of baptism, the living water he offers -- refreshing, renewing, and redeeming.

Jesus says to the disciples, and to all of us, “‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid’.” These are welcome words in the midst of danger. This is what we each long to hear when it is our turn to face the valley of the shadow. We are not alone in our longing for the re-assuring presence of One who has power to calm the chaos and see us across to the other side.

But it is hard to keep our focus, to live in faith, when the winds of our life are howling and the waves are overwhelming. Peter is able to walk on water until he lets the ferocity of the wind distract him. The text says he doubts. The Greek word for doubt suggests “going in two directions at once.” It is not that Peter does not trust Jesus; he does. It is that he both trusts Jesus and fears the storm at the same time. Even with Jesus close at hand, Peter cannot deny the howling wind and its ominous threat. And his fear sinks him.

What storm is blowing in your life right now? Where do you feel buffeted by the winds, overcome by the chaos, inundated by water? What is frightening you, diverting you from God; distracting you from Jesus?

When Peter begins to sink, frightened by the wind, he cries out, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus is there, immediately reaching out his hand and catching Peter. And when we find ourselves sinking, besieged by the waters of life, overwhelmed by chaos, beset by the winds, Jesus’ hand is there for us to grab.

We can sink amid our fear. Or we can reach out to Jesus and keep our heads above the water, trusting that he is always near, trusting that he will not allow us to sink, trusting that the One who calls to us “Come” also reaches out to catch us in his firm grip.

Fear sinks. But we need not be afraid, for Christ promises that he is with us always with a hand that uplifts us and keeps us afloat. Amen.