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From Robert's Desk
The Weekend Is Coming
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In Matthew 14 there is that famous scene where the disciple Peter walks on the water until he takes his eyes off Jesus, and the story is amazing, and tons of books have been written about how we can walk on the water with Jesus.
And I really love that part of the story, but ever since I was in seminary I haven’t been able to shake the sense that Peter never should have been out on the water in the first place. For the sake of brevity, I’ll save you some of the reasons I believe this and focus on a few of the reasons that are pretty much right there in front of our eyes in the story. The disciples are out in the boat on the lake and in the storm, and Jesus starts walking out to them from the shore. The disciples freak out. They start shouting so loud Jesus can hear, “There’s a ghost coming!” But Jesus shouts back, “No, no. It’s me. It’s Jesus; don’t be afraid. It’s then that Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come out to you on the water.” The water walking is Peter’s idea, not Jesus’. What’s more, in the Gospel of Matthew another character a few chapters back did the whole “Jesus, if you’re special, then prove it” schtick and that character back in chapter four was…Satan. Ouch. And, just a couple of chapters later, in chapter 16, Peter will once again try to push Jesus around for the best of reasons. In chapter 16 it will be about how Peter is convinced that since Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus should not be talking about taking on a cross. In response, Jesus will compare Peter to…Satan. Ouch. So, I sort of think the original plan had Peter staying in the boat. But, you know, this makes Jesus eventually inviting Peter to walk on the waves that much more impressive to me. Peter was challenging Jesus, showing a lack of faith, and still, Jesus gives a little to help Peter explore the waves – and then grabs Peter’s hand when Peter starts to sink. Once again, and just to be clear, I love the “Peter walks on water with Jesus, so how can we” approach. But, Peter should have listened to Jesus, celebrated that the presence of the Lord could reach them even in the storm, and kept his backside in the boat. After all, Jesus’ last words in the Gospel of Matthew will be: “I am with you always, even until the end of the age.” And, the classic words of Paul from Romans chapter eight are about how nothing (not even a storm) can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. I need to mention here that a boat, especially one caught in a storm, is an ancient image for the community of disciples, for the body of Christ, for the church. It’s not outlandish to say that the boat is the church. Jesus is coming to care for his church as it struggles in the world, but his church – especially Peter – doesn’t believe Jesus can show up. Hmmm. |
Do we believe Jesus can show up when we are gathered together and tossed about by the shocks, cruelties, and temptations of life?
We can get so focused on water-walking that we miss this critical question of faith – are we expecting Jesus to show up where we are? I’m not talking just about the times of worship in the life of the community, but those are certainly included. I’m also talking about the hospital visits and the conversations over a beverage. I’m also talking about the times of service to strangers and the youth meetings. Do we expect Jesus to show up? If he does, will we demand he prove himself, or will we be ready to meet him? Picture this guy named Hal. For worship services, Hal always sits in the seventh pew from the front, on the left, seat closest to the aisle. Hal’s been out of town for a few Sundays. A quick trip to Florida for one week. Saw the grandkids in Denver the next. But now Hal’s back. He’s running a little late, but he’s back. Now Hal’s is a small congregation with a small worship sanctuary, and it’s pretty crowded this particular Sunday because there’s a special program and special preacher lined up. So, Hal shoots into the worship hall right at the two-minute-warning before the service. And there’s a guy in his seat. In Hal’s seat. Never happens, but there it is. And the guy’s a stranger, not a member. And the guy doesn’t smell too sweet, and he has muddy boots on that are tracking all sorts of muck into God’s House. Hal knows he shouldn’t be bothered, but he is. I mean, there aren’t any other decent seats in the room. Now the service is about to start, and Hal can’t even get the scuzzy stranger’s attention so Hal can tell him to scoot. Now Hal’s not annoyed or mad anymore, he’s irate. Hal feels it boiling up in him. Then Hal drops dead. Hits the ground like a lead statue. Heart attack. Bam. Before anyone else can get to Hal, the stranger leans over and touches Hal’s chest. Hal opens his eyes, and he sees things differently. Now, don’t ask Hal how he knows this, but the stranger in front of him is plain-as-day Jesus. Hal sees this, and he feels shock and shame all the way through his guts. And the stranger Jesus says to him, “Weren’t expecting me, were you?” Are we? You know, expecting Jesus to really show up. Anywhere. Even at church. Sometimes it can be easier to talk about how we might be able to walk on water someday. |
“What I like about Park Hill Christian Church is our God
blessed outreach programs
touching so many people in spiritual and physical need.”
~Member, Sandy Shipley
blessed outreach programs
touching so many people in spiritual and physical need.”
~Member, Sandy Shipley
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watching our service
online. Service starts
at 9:00 a.m. Just click
the Live Streaming icon
to the left.
Click here to view our weekly newsletter.
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