It's Me
We Would See Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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Prayer
Being Afraid
One of the best parts of Capernaum camp was coming alongside the kids to see them try new - and often challenging and scary - adventures.
If you’ve never done a ropes course before, it can be scary - you’re up in the trees, some distance up off the ground, walking across what they call elements that take you from one tree to the next where platforms are. Elements vary - maybe crossing a log, or a series of wood planks held up by cables, so they shake a little while you’re walking across them. You typically have a rope to hold on to, or a series of ropes hanging down. Now, you’ve got a serious harness on, always connected to a series of cables, so it’s perfectly safe.
I got to come alongside Paul as he worked his way through the ropes course - something he had never done before. And Paul was scared. I was going across the elements right behind him the whole time - he’d stop and look at me and say, I’m scared. I can’t do this.
But he did it. Little by little, step by step, with encouragement (you can do this, just take one more step), he made his way through the entire ropes course. It was fun to celebrate that with him.
Didn’t always work out, though - several of the kids got to the top of the zip line to go down it. This zip line starts up higher up on a hill and comes down along the treetops right into the lake. There’s not much for you to do - you just step off the platform and down you go. But you’re high up…and that first step is a doozy. And the fear got to them. They had their harnesses on, they’d gone through the safety check - all they had to do was take that first step…they wouldn’t do it.
The other leaders and I, the summer staff - were trying to encourage them to do it. Giving them all these reasons why they should. Look - it’s perfectly safe, it’s going to be incredible - you’ll be so glad you did it. You’re so close, you’ve come this far, just one more step.
Didn’t matter, all those things, though true, weren’t enough to convince them to go. Fear won out.
We all know what it’s like to be afraid. We all have fears of some sort. Some of us would have been just like those kids - no way am I doing that ropes course - or the zip line - are you crazy?!?
Some of our fears are financial (too much debt, will I have enough to pay for kids’ college, to retire)…health concerns (something shows up on scan, have to go in for testing)…some of our fears are relational, emotional…fear of other people, what they think of us, will they hurt us??
I was afraid of doing a bad job of my nephew’s wedding, I so wanted it to be good for them, didn’t want to disappoint them.
This morning, we’re going to start new sermon series, “We Would See Jesus”.
Idea is to take some stories from Gospels and “see” Jesus - come to know him better, in order that we might desire to love and follow him. Dallas Willard says that the first step to growing in Christ is having a “mind enthralled with God” - that we’d be increasingly and absolutely amazed with who God is. That’s what spurs us to know and be with him. So, that’s the hope - be ready to be enthralled!
Idea of this comes from Gospel of John, 12:20-21, Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” We would see Jesus.
I hope and pray that’s our heart’s desire - to see Jesus. Start this morning by looking at the story in Matthew 14:22-33, story where we find disciples much like our Capernaum friends (and us, at times) - afraid, very afraid.
And just like we were trying to give all sorts of reasons to our Capernaum friends to face their fears - because that’s what we do, isn’t it - we offer reasons not to be afraid.
We see how Jesus comes to his friends in their fear and what he offers them.
It’s Me - story of Matthew 14:22-33...
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
So, this story takes place right after the miracle of feeding of 5,000 - Jesus had been trying to get a break, a chance to rest for him and his disciples.
So he sends them off in the boat to the other side of Sea of Galilee so they can get away from the crowds and all the time and effort that demands of their time. After he sends the disciples off in the boat, he goes up on the mountainside to pray. By the way, when we talk about the spiritual discipline of solitude, that’s what Jesus is doing right here - Jesus going away by himself so he can be with the Father.
I’m sure the disciples were glad to have a break, glad to get away from the crowds - maybe to the point that it didn’t ever cross their minds about how Jesus was going to catch up with them.
It doesn’t go well for the disciples -maybe they should have stayed with Jesus - because the wind starts picking up, blowing harder, so the waves are getting bigger - and it’s particularly difficult because the wind is blowing against them.
This makes rowing their way across to the other side very difficult - so much so that by late in night, they’re stuck in the middle of the lake, miles from shore, but still miles to go to get to the other side.
It’s late at night (somewhere between 3-6 a.m.), wind blowing against them - out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, they’ve been rowing for hours, tired…and what do they see?
A figure walking towards them on the water. Now, we know the story. We know it’s Jesus. But they don’t. Why would they - this has never happened before - ever. People do not walk on water.
I want you to put yourself for a moment in that boat - middle of a massive lake, wind blowing hard, it’s late at night - and you see a human figure walking on the water in your direction.
Did I mention it was on the water?! You think they were afraid? Of course they were! Who wouldn’t be? It almost seems strange to say this, but the disciples thinking it was a ghost was really the most logical conclusion - because, as I mentioned, people don’t walk on water (whole physics thing).
Makes me wonder what it felt like - like walking on jello, wiggles a little? Did it make a little splash with every step? Create little ripples? Sink in a little, little give?
It’s obvious they are afraid - cry out, “It’s a ghost!” you can hear the panic in their voices. What does Jesus do? Remember, we want to “see” Jesus. How does Jesus respond to their fear?
When we’re trying to encourage others who are afraid, we give them a reason not to be afraid (you’re perfectly safe, you’re going to have so much fun, you’ll be so glad you did it, etc.). Which is exactly what Jesus does. What’s his reason? Listen to what he says, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Sandwiched in between the encouragement is the reason. It is I. It’s me. I’m here. I am with you.
That seems like that’d be it - amazing story, they’d be talking about for a long time. One minute laughing at how they thought he was a ghost, next in utter amazement - but it wasn’t a ghost - it was Jesus. Jesus walking on the water! But the story doesn’t end there - and I really don’t know why Peter does this, but he does… “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on water.”
You have to wonder, what would ever prompt Peter to request that? Some biblical scholars believe Peter was still doubting, wanted more proof it was Jesus, that’s why he asked Jesus to tell him to come. That seems unlikely to me, that kind of testing.
I think Peter was so amazed (relieved, too) - that Jesus is right there, walking on the water. I think he’s so taken with Jesus in that moment, that he wants to be with him - he’s absolutely drawn to him. Still, it’s crazy that he even thought to ask this of Jesus, but he does! What may be even crazier is how Jesus responds…with one simple word…”Come.” Come on, buddy, water’s fine. I’d love a walking partner as we walk across this lake…on…the…water.
Jesus just invited Peter to walk on water with him. So Peter does it. He climbs over the side of the boat…on to the water. Peter is standing on water. And he doesn’t just stand on water, he walks on it. He walks on the water - toward Jesus.
Next time you’re by a swimming pool, stand right on the edge of that pool and imagine what it would have been like for Peter to put his foot out of the boat and onto the water…and then you give it a try.
Now people give Peter a hard time because of what happens next, but I give him a ton of credit - there are only two people in all of human history who have walked on water…and he’s one of them.
So Peter is doing it, he’s walking on water toward Jesus. As Matthew tells the story, “But when he saw wind, he was…he was what? Afraid. He was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Fear got him.
But Jesus has him, too. Jesus, immediately, reaches out his hand, catches Peter, saving him. Then he offers this gentle chiding…you of little faith, why did you doubt? As if to say to Peter, It’s me. I’m right here. There’s no need to be afraid.
There’s so many amazing aspects of this story, but the thing that really grabs me is Jesus’ invitation to Peter to come join him in walking on the water.
Jesus is not playing a trick on Peter here (watch this…heh, heh, heh…). Peter is demonstrating faith - if it’s you, Lord, tell me to come to you on the water. If it’s you, Lord. It’s only because of you, Jesus, that I believe this is doable. Peter is bold enough to say that to Jesus - and Jesus takes him up on it. Jesus gives him opportunity to put that faith into practice…Come on!
It seems to me that Jesus yearns for us to trust him. To trust his presence with us. That’s why the only thing he offers his disciples is, Take courage, it is I (It’s me), don’t be afraid. It’s why when Peter says, if it’s you, Lord, tell me to come to you on the water. Jesus responds, it’s me, Come. Come to me. I’m here with you.
Our fears rise, our worries grow, our concerns multiply when we forget that. Like disciples, we think we’re in boat alone, so when this figure appears, panic! Like Peter, our attention shifts from Jesus to the wind, waves - those things battering our lives - and we forget the Jesus who is standing right in front of us (in Peter’s case, on the water) and who just told us, Come. It’s me.
Part of the beauty of Jesus in this story is that even when Peter and the other disciples doubt, even when they are being little-faiths - and they become afraid and they start sinking - Jesus is still there with them and for them, just like he is with us.
When all we can see are the wind, waves…or the overwhelming debt…or the pain we’re in…or the loss we’ve just experienced…broken marriage…hurting children…and we let fear or worry and anxiety get to us, Jesus is still there with us and for us. Even when we’re faithless - he is faithful. Always.
This is what he keeps trying to remind the disciples -and us. It’s me. I’m here. Take courage. Don’t be afraid.
So, part of our goal is to become people who live out the reality of the presence of Jesus in our lives. Here’s where the spiritual disciplines come into practice, our training - practice the presence of God. Will make all the difference when we confront storms in our lives, knowing and trusting his presence with us.
Take some time this week to sit down and read and reflect on this story (Matthew 14:22-33). Engage in the practice of Lectio Divina, which is sacred reading. Read through the passage three times, slowly. Be attentive to what sticks out to you - a word, a phrase, an image. Spend time reflecting on that, praying, asking God what he might be saying to you.
Discipline of Solitude - to get away to be with Jesus.
I invite you to take some time this week to consider what the wind, the waves in your life are right now. What’s battering against you? What’s grabbing your attention away from Jesus, causing you concern, fear?
Can you see Jesus with you in the midst of the situation? Standing there, just like he was with Peter?
Let me finish with this…there’s one last aspect to the story, fun little note that’s easy to miss.
When Jesus and Peter climb back into the boat, notice what happens…the wind dies down. The thing that’d been battling all night as they tried to make their way across the Sea of Galilee just dies down. No more. It’s just this fun little moment of Jesus reminding his disciples, everything’s good, I’m with you. It’s me.
And how do the disciples respond…those who were in the boat worshipped him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!” This is what happens when you become enthralled with Jesus, you worship him!