Salvation and Fear and Jesus’ Ghost
How Can We Preach this Tired Story in a Way That People Can Hear it?
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
For Sunday, August 7 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 19
This story is about, well, life and death and who Jesus is and what that means when Jesus is coming toward us walking toward us.
It is a ghost story.
It is hard for me to feel the fear in this story. I think it’s simply the amount of times I have heard it.
Jesus walking on the water. Peter walks on the water and then takes his eyes of Jesus and starts to sink and yells, to Jesus “Save me!” and Jesus reaches out to him pulls him up and they get back in the boat. Jesus spanks him a little—“Ye of little faith—Why did you doubt?” The rest of the disciples look up into Jesus’ eyes with Peter and confess in unison “Truly you are the Son of God,”
Lessons that tell themselves.
It is hard to think of it as real, because I know it so well. I have heard so many sermons and songs and lessons about it. When I read the story those lessons just start telling themselves to me.
You know, you have to keep your eyes on Jesus—or you know there were eleven other people that didn’t get out of the boat—get out of the boat, Russell.
So well constructed.
It is also hard to think of as real because it is so well constructed—it is structured so that Peter’s cry for Jesus—“Lord save me!” —is exactly in the middle of the story. There is the same number of Greek words before it and after.
Not only that, it is almost exactly in the middle of Matthew’s Gospel. The center of the whole story and the center of the whole Gospel is Peter’s “Save Me!” And Jesus reaching out and grabbing him. It is not until Peter really starts to go under that he yells out for Jesus.
So metaphorical.
It is all so metaphorical. A metaphor for what?
Salvation: If you call on his name you will be saved? Jesus doesn’t reach out for you until you truly realize you need him? Or maybe that Jesus keeps coming to us; that he is always right; that there is no need to be afraid?
Or it is okay to be afraid—Jesus is right there even in your fear?
It seems like it is something about fear and Jesus coming to us. There is fear all over this text, this situation. Jesus and his followers have just heard about Herod, murdering John the Baptist—Jesus, mentor, friend, cousin. And have heard that Herod thinks Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead. So now Herod is after Jesus. When Jesus hears this he tries to go into hiding. He quietly leaves in a boat to a deserted place. But people heard that he was leaving and the follow him. So the deserted place fills up with a huge crowd. And instead of hiding out he teaches the people all day and then feeds them with a miraculous meal.
This might be the end.
When everyone has finished eating he sends his disciples away in a boat. Then he dismisses the rest of the people, then he goes up into the mountains by himself. To pray.
So, maybe he was not running away to hide. But he wants to be by himself. He doesn’t want the disciples around. Why? Maybe to protect them? If he was going to get caught he did not want them to get caught with him. In Mathew Jesus only goes off by himself to pray twice. Once is here and the other time is right before he actually is caught and arrested. So, maybe Jesus thinks this might be the end. Jesus maybe thinks he is about to be arrested, maybe killed.
Evidently the disciples are thinking the same thing. Because when they see Jesus coming toward them walking on the water they think it is a ghost. Jesus’ ghost. Maybe that is how you can preach this in a fresh way—as a ghost story.
The Hardest Question
How can we preach this tired story in a way that people can hear it?
Russell Rathbun is a preacher at House of Mercy in St. Paul, Minnesota, the author of Midrash on the Juanitos (Cathedral Hill Press, 2010) and the curator of The Hardest Question.
You guys crack me up! Actually, your video response has some merit. If the boat symbolizes the church…this text become a challenge to those of us who are comfortable in the pew! Imagine, a first person sermon, where the “church/ boat” tries to convince the people to never go outside!?! A reverse psychology sermon! eh?
August 1st, 2011 at 3:55 pmI also like the idea of preaching from the perspective of the boat. I am a second career pastor. My first career was 21 years in the U. S. Navy. I think I can relay some clear analogies.
If the boat represents the “Church” then community, security, and comfort in times of need are all enclosed in the hull.
Peter jumps ship, albeit with the best of intentions. He leaves the community behind only to find that the world(sea) is a dangerous place when you challenge it on your own.
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:19 amYou say this is a ‘tired story’ and you’ve heard it so many times that it’s hard to think of it as real. And that’s the biggest obstacle, because it is so familiar that we skim over it. We don’t even read it any more because we think we already know it. I’ve figured out if I read the story-from the Bible-out loud to my 8 and 9 year old, then ask them what THEY heard or what questions ‘THEY’ have, they usually give me some gold nuggets to test in between my teeth.
August 3rd, 2011 at 12:41 pmYou say this is a ghost story, but I disagree. This is exactly NOT a ghost story. They thought they saw a ghost, but they didn’t. They just didn’t expect to see Jesus where they saw him. And because they ‘boxed him in’ so to speak, they were afraid. See, we try to stick God in places that feel comfortable to us, but he keeps showing up in unexpected places and holding us accountable, challenging us, accepting us, just all around making things difficult because we’re trying to stay safe in the boat, keep him in the boat with us, or at the least stick with the plan to meet him in the previously discussed location (wherever THAT is), and that Jesus-he keeps surprising us. I don’t like surprises. And stupid Peter. He acts all big, but see what happens, when he tries to show off? If everyone would PLEASE stay in the boat, everything would be okay. Yes, Jesus, I mean you too. So, this is probably where I’m going with my sermon this week. Fear. The unexpected. And how Jesus won’t do right because he won’t stay where we think he ought to be.
I like how you read this. I like the idea that Jesus shows up in unexpected places–and if we mash up this idea with the Boat-as-Church idea–the we have Jesus showing up out side of the church–even passing it buy until he is hailed. What do you make of him calming the storm?
August 3rd, 2011 at 1:53 pmWell, the thing about him calming the storm is the disciples didn’t really notice the storm. And Peter didn’t notice the wind either until he was outside of the boat. That’s when he freaked out. That’s when we all do-when we’re outside of our comfort zone/boat/church of how we’ve always done it. And it wasn’t so much that he was passing them by. The passage says ‘he came walking toward them’-not like, say, the Emmaus Road story, when it really seemed like he was going to go on while the two disciples went home. I think most of us don’t mind the storm too much as long as we’re not called to be out IN IT. And that’s another thing. It was Peter’s idea to go out of the boat. Not Jesus’ idea. What if Peter hadn’t thought of it? Would Jesus have kept walking across the water and gotten in the boat, then the wind ceased? Did they worship him a)because he walked on water, b)because he helped Peter to walk on water, then pulled him out when he started to sink, or c)because the wind ceased when he stepped onto the boat?
Does the wind cease to be against us when Jesus is in the boat with us? Or does it just seem that way because Jesus is in the boat with us because, really, the wind and waves didn’t seem to be an issue until he scared the crap out of them by appearing unexpectedly.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:07 pmThanks for posing the question about the impact that the presence of Jesus has on our perception of the winds that are against us.
I’m still not sure where this sermon might go. I seem to be stuck pondering a couple of “hardest questions.”
The disciples are tired before they head out across the lake at the end of a long day. They wind is against them so they are exhausted by 3 in the morning. We are not told that they are afraid of the storm, as in the earlier stilling of the storm story. They become afraid at the appearance the Jesus walking on the water for they do not know it is Jesus. What is the role of exhaustion and fear in this story? Are they critical to the story or would Peter have reacted the same way if Jesus had approached on a calm and sunny morning?
Here’s the first hard question that I am asking: To what degree is it necessary (if at all) to expose the anxieties of our listeners in our preaching in order to open us to Peter’s cry of “Lord, save me” and resulting confession and worship? How do we avoid creating false anxiety as a way of manipulating and controlling our listeners?
Then there is this: Peter begins his question in the same way that Satan does in Matt 4 and the crowds do in Matt 27: “If you are…” Satan and the crowds want Jesus to do something miraculously powerful to prove that he is the Son of God. Peter wants Jesus to make it possible for Peter to do something miraculously powerful. Jesus complies with Peter’s demand, but refuses the others. What’s the difference? Is Peter on to something? Do we underestimate what is possible for those who follow and trust Jesus? Should we have a stronger desire to emulate Jesus? Peter sinks, of course, but maybe he has it partly right.
August 4th, 2011 at 12:00 pmJennifer and Mark, this is good stuff that will preach. I want to spend some time thinking about two questions y’all brought up. First, does the storm cease when Jesus steps in the boat or does his being there calm Peter, et al, so the storm is no longer a thing of fear and anxiety. The second question might contradict the first, maybe the whole point of this story is Peter’s cry, “Lord, save me!” It reminds me of the Jesus prayer, “Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner.” a cry for help and a confession. perhaps the drama of the walking on water/sinking in the water and the storm are what is necessary for Peter to realize he needs help. So, maybe, we are all sinking, slowly sinking and convince ourselves that we are not. Imagine if strong headed Peter wanted to prove he could do it on his own and didn’t cry for help until his head was under the water?
Lord, save me!
August 4th, 2011 at 1:02 pmHey Mark, I, too, was struck by Peter’s “If you are…” statement, and had my 9 year old colleague make the connection between Satan’s “If you are…” challenges, and Peter’s. I’m still ruminating on the difference. Maybe it’s similar to the differing reaction of Gabriel to the Maiden Mary’s question, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” and the elder Zachariah’s “How can I be sure of this?” What’s the difference? The motivation behind the question?
August 5th, 2011 at 4:08 amI agree with you about Peter. I think he was on to something. I think we do underestimate what is possible for those who trust and follow Jesus. I think maybe Peter does have it “partly right.”
Remember the story preached now and then of the minister who goes in to pray with the women who is dying in the hospital bed, and miraculously she is healed? The minister goes out in the parking lot and says to God with shaking voice, “Don’t you ever do that again.”
I was at the bedside of a dying woman today. And I noticed afterward, I didn’t even pray for healing, just comfort and felt presence. Why? Because-honestly-I don’t expect God to do it. Is that my failure of faith then? I think I’ve just witnessed too many times when God said, “No” and it really sucks.
So, that goes back to not exposing *those* kinds of personal anxieties to our sermon listeners. I can’t share the story of being at the bedside of that woman, but maybe one of you could as an example of what not to do. Still. I do make demands at other times. This time, though, with that woman-as sad as I am about her dying-it feels like the right thing.
I know I’m the boat dweller. I like to play it safe. So, maybe that’s my failure. And on to more hard questions…
Russell, both good questions you raise as well. Does the storm cease, or is it just enough for Jesus to be in the boat? If (forgive me for this)-as Dr. Phil says-perception is reality, then it really doesn’t matter does it? I think I remember (forgive me again for drawing from our cultural media) a commercial for windows. Outside there’s this terrible storm and inside the living room is a quaint scene with the family playing a board game beside a cozy fire. Maybe the “Lord, save me” is not so much causing the wind to cease as it is to “Get over here right now!” whether it’s a hand up out of the deluge or showing mercy by immediately being present. And, I noticed that too. When Peter says, “Lord, save me” it says “IMMEDIATELY” oh, my gosh. I just noticed it. “Immediately” is in this passage three times. The first mention (22)-not so significant, but the other two-verses 27 and 31. They both come when there is desperation. Wow. How did I miss that?
August 5th, 2011 at 4:29 amMaybe we have to be praying desperately. Maybe no matter what the threat is-storm or ghost or perceived ghost or perceived storm-maybe the key is getting to that moment of terror and ‘Save me’ before the immediacy comes.Suppose it is that we are too comfortable for the most part to have that desperate plea wrenched from our lips?
And now I am wondering about the “immediately” in verse 22. It sure doesn’t have the same feel as the other two. Or, maybe I’m missing it. Well, I’ve dominated the floor enough. Thanks for the opportunity.
August 5th, 2011 at 4:35 amThe disciples were in danger of drowning. Drowning people are desperate. They panic. They do crazy things. Peter actually did a smart, crazy thing. He wanted to go where Jesus was. That was the best place to be. So he did an insane thing. He called to Jesus to command him to walk on the water. Briefly, Peter succeeded. Then he sank like a Rock. Pun intended.
When my children took their first steps, they “failed.” They needed practice and lacked confidence. I encouraged them. I did not scold them. I see Jesus having the same tone of voice, encouragement not scolding.
How might we encourage people to take heart because I AM is with them, Emmanuel? Many are drowning, desperate, going under. What grace do they need to hear?!!
August 5th, 2011 at 8:27 amInteresting as well that Jesus has dispatched them on ahead. “He made them get into the boat and go ahead on the other side.” And the other side is Genenesaret (where they recognize him right away) on his way to the region of Tyre and Sidon (where the Caananite woman declares him Lord). I know, it’s hard to imagine that you would have to force people into the boat to cross the waters that separate us from ‘those people.’ Boundary crossing headwinds, storms, and fears….
August 5th, 2011 at 10:58 amMark, Jennifer-: I too was thinking quite a bit about the “if you are” question… Could this be the difference that makes Peter’s request (partially) right: that Peter’s request actually involves an act of personal faith, it involves him DOING something – while both Mt 4 and Mt 27 are just a passive request of a mere audience?
August 5th, 2011 at 11:58 pmHey Thomas, I think you have something there because Peter’s request involves him to risk as well.
August 6th, 2011 at 6:50 amIs there a place to leave comments about this site in general? I have some feedback, but there doesn’t seem to be anywhere to leave it – and this space wouldn’t be appropriate.
August 6th, 2011 at 1:30 pmForgive me for saying this, but I find this type of thinking pedestrian (no pun intended. . . maybe it was). I say this not to insult anyone but to challenge my own thought process.
Why is it that every time I encounter a miracle I have to find an excuse for it? The feeding of the 5000 wasn’t a supernatural multiplication of the bread and fishes (i like saying fishes). It was a communal sharing of the little bits of snack food that moms have carried in their purses since the beginning of time. The healing that Jesus and the disciples did weren’t really physical. They were societal, psychological even spiritual. Heaven forbid that stuff really happened! No wonder Jesus doesn’t end up in the clink after healing that poor woman on the Sabbath- cuz he didn’t really do it. What the hell’s the matter with me?! And, what am I doing with my life? I had prospects once upon a time. . .
I’ve carried this line of thinking for years now and I don’t want to do it anymore. Isn’t anyone else tired of scouring through every word to find the secret other miracle? Jesus goes off to pray and then He WALKS ON THE F’N WATER! Why isn’t that enough? The problem isn’t the text. It’s me. I have no problem telling my congregation to get out of the boat and yet I refuse to allow myself to think outside of it. Then I pat myself on the back for being so deep like the bald kid in the Matrix, “There is no boat”.
I’ve read Augustine, too. The boat is the church. . . I just can’t get there this year. No, this time I’m doing something different. Tomorrow’s sermon (I think) will have have 2 themes:
1) the time has come to break away from our addiction to the physical laws that govern this reality so that we can open ourselves up to the spiritual/supernatural reality of God through His Son Jesus Christ and our love for Him (. . .and our neighbor).
2)Peter is a Stud.
I’d say more but I’ve probably said too much already. Thanks. I love this site.
August 6th, 2011 at 6:45 pmI want to make a connection between Peter calling on the Lord and the calling on the Lord mentioned in Romans 10. It is the voice of the Lord that calms the disciples’ fear and commands Peter to walk. It is “hearing through the word of Christ” that creates faith according to Rom. 10:17. So I plan to ask, “what is the word of Christ that God is giving you to speak that will calm fears and strengthen faith?”
August 6th, 2011 at 10:48 pmGreg, if you have general comments, we don’t have a particular place for those. We would be happy to hear them though. You could send comments to russell@houseofmercy.org
August 7th, 2011 at 10:38 amwhen Jesus approach us we are some how suprise by his appearance because we as people expect him to be there when we want him to but, when we look at the big picture Jesus is their all the time. (Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee). It’s just like believing, and trusting in Jesus and leaning on God’s Word. Believe( to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something).
May 2nd, 2012 at 6:12 am