Lectionary readings for Sunday 9th August 2020

• Gn 37:1-4,12-28
• Ps 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b
• Rom 10:5-15
• Mt 14:22-33

A reflection on Matt 14:22-33 by Michelle

Tests! Not many of us like them, yet it seems our lives are full of them. We have spelling tests, maths tests, driving tests, citizenship tests, IQ tests, competency tests, eyesight tests, blood tests, pregnancy tests, fitness tests and considering the current pandemic, many Covid tests and temperature tests! Some of these tests we just do without thinking, but others require preparation and training. This is how it is with our faith.

Before we look at today’s reading, where Peter’s faith is tested, let’s look at how Peter has been prepared for this test. In Matt 8:23-27, Peter and the other disciples become afraid when a wild storm brews up while they are on the lake. They wake Jesus, who is calmly sleeping through the wild weather, and beg him to save them. Jesus rebukes the wind and waves and immediately it is calm prompting the disciples to ask “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him.”

After this the disciples witnessed Jesus perform many miracles – healing the sick, casting out demons and even raising dead people back to life. In the events leading up to today’s reading Jesus feeds 5000+ people with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Not only did everyone go home with full bellies, but the disciples picked up 12 baskets full of leftovers!

Just a few hours later, the disciples again find themselves on the lake when a storm starts to blow up. This time Jesus is not with them. Suddenly they see a figure walking towards them on the water and they think it’s a ghost until Jesus says “Don’t be afraid. It’s me.” Peter, whose faith has obviously grown, says, “If it’s really you tell me to come to you on the water.” Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen anyone successfully walk on water. It goes against all the laws of nature. But when Jesus says one simple word, “Come”, Peter climbs over the edge of the boat and starts walking towards him. All that training is starting to pay off. Peter’s faith has grown. But when he allows the wind to distract him, Peter begins to sink.

Isn’t Peter’s experience similar to our own faith journeys? We swing between believing whole heartedly in the power and presence of God in our lives and doubting whether he has any real control or influence over our circumstances. Let’s remember that Jesus could have calmed that storm before he told Peter to walk on the water. He could have calmed the storm before He himself walked out on the water, but He didn’t. Jesus chose to approach his disciples IN the storm.

We face many storms in our lives – a failing marriage, an unfavourable medical diagnosis, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, etc. Do you believe wholeheartedly that God will meet you in these storms and lead you safely through them? Do you trust that blessings await you on the other side? It is in journeying through the storm that our faith is tested, strengthened, and refined. We grow closer to Jesus, learning to walk with Him in all the circumstances of our lives.

Peter isn’t perfect. He gets distracted. He stops focusing on Jesus and allows the wind to cause doubt, make him afraid, and he begins to sink. We often do the same. In our own circumstances we forget that God is in control. We become anxious and afraid. But Peter’s response is a great example for us when we feel ourselves starting to drown. He cries out “Lord, save me!”

In our world today we’re often told to focus on the goal, visualise the end result. But what we need to do is focus on Jesus. Keep our eyes fixed on Him. The turbulence of the world has no power over Jesus. One word from Him and it could all stop. But we can’t expect that Jesus will stop all the pain we experience in the storms of life immediately. There are lessons to be learned from the pain. We just need to remember that we will get through it if we keep our focus on the one through whom all things were made, the one who made blind people see, the one who told lame people they could pick up their mat and walk, the one who ordered Lazarus to wake from death and come out of his grave, the one who commanded the wind and the waves and they obeyed, the one who suffered an agonisingly painful death to take the penalty for my sins and yours, the one who was raised to eternal life and is preparing a place for me and for you in Heaven. That’s where our strength is. That’s where our power is. Put your faith in Jesus.

In the Eye of the Storm – Ryan Stevenson