*First, I want to express my sincere gratitude at you all who take the time out of your week to engage my words weekly. Some of you all think through my thoughts, comment, share them, and some even pay for them. In all the ways that you enter this space…thank you.*
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30)
Matthew’s Gospel account relates a story of a time in which a faith-filled Peter saw his Lord Jesus walking upon the water. Inspired by what he saw he asked to join Jesus, to be with the Lord in the midst of the miraculous. So Jesus beckoned Peter to come; no parable this time in sight. Come just as you are and walk on these waves.
So Peter did.
And began to sink.
The reality of this passage sits with me beyond the ways I have heard it used to shame others at their lack of faith, or to inspire fresh faith in the weary. I simply sit in the tension of all those who notice the boisterous wind and become fearful; those who hesitate. The fear that we all share in during these times doesn’t make us wicked, sinful, or lazy. The winds DO blow don’t they? The waves DO become fierce don’t they? Typically I write this Sunday reflection and look ahead but today I am reflecting on the week that just happened more than the week ahead if I am quite honest. I was afraid. I sank a few times. I don’t know how the week was for you all.
I am comforted by this passage though knowing that even though I probably will sink this upcoming week a few times I can simply acknowledge my reality and say “Lord, save me!”
It’s refreshing to here this passage in a way that isn’t meant to shame you or muster up rehearsed courage. We get to just be human with the lord
Thank you for helping me see this passage through fresh eyes.
I have always heard this story told in a way that Peter started to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus. But as I read it anew, it doesn't say that he took his eyes off Jesus, it just says he saw the wind. Maybe he noticed the wind because Jesus' garments were being blown about or his hair. l think Jesus' comment "you of little faith, why did you doubt" was said in kindness. I don't think Peter doubted Jesus, he called out for Jesus to save him. I think Peter doubted himself. Maybe Jesus was saying, Peter, you had this, you were doing it, why did you doubt yourself when the wind picked up?
I get it. I am terrified of the water, so much so that I would have walked around the lake. Intellectually, I know my body is capable of swimming, and oddly, I can swim as long as I have a snorkel mask on & my feet can touch the bottom. But if I put my feet down & can't touch bottom, I immediately panic & sink like a stone.