AMLWCH METHODIST CHURCH
Wesley Street, Amlwch, North Wales

 

“Take heart, it is I: do not be afraid”

(Matthew 14:22-33)

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How often have you read this passage and imagined the fear of the disciples struggling to row against a strong wind and then seeing a figure walking on the waves towards them?   Most of us will have understood it as a scene of sheer terror.   Let’s analyse it and see what we can gain.

 

Like all others, the disciples had a life experience full of ups and downs.   This is normal for all people.   Sometimes the downs give us the feeling of being on a big dipper as it leaves the top and accelerates to the bottom of the ride.   These are the big drops in life.   We feel to be heading for something dreadful.   Did the disciples feel this?   Probably.   They were a group including fishermen who were well used to big waves.   But right now they were unable to make headway against the wind.   Twelve sets of oars in use, but unable to make headway.

 

Then a figure approaches them, walking on the water.   Is this a premonition of impending death?   They are out on the inland sea, and Jesus is not in the boat with them.   They must have felt powerless to help themselves.   Then the figure speaks, and it is Jesus.   What Jesus says to them is something we would do well to think about:   “Take heart, it is I: do not be afraid.”   Peter, the impulsive one calls out “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”   Jesus complies and Peter steps out of the boat and walks on the water.   Then suddenly takes fear and starts to sink.   Jesus reaches out and holds him.   He is safe.

 

The words Jesus speaks to Peter are “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”   This was a challenging question.   Peter was the sort of man who acted first and then thought about it later.   We get a clue about the degree of faith Peter had when we consider his words, “Lord, if it is you”.   Real faith would not have been expressed like this.   The word, if, would not have been used.   There was already a crack in the faith and determination of Peter.   He hoped he could walk on water like Jesus, but hope is not as solid as faith.

 

So Peter was just as human as us.   In some matters we have faith but there are times when our faith dissolves into hope.   The next downward step is doubt.   So, we, like those disciples, have moments of fear and doubt. I am sure that the heroes of history have had as many doubts as the rest of us.  

 

Our lesson here is to search for that faith that will take us through our fears.   We must keep on testing our faith to be sure our status as Christians has not diminished.  But don’t let’s beat ourselves up when we question our faith.   This is normal.   It is all part of facing up to life.