Friday, November 10, 2023  

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Today’s Scripture Reading
Matthew 14:22–36

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. (NRSV)

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Reflection

The miracle of Jesus walking on the water is one of the best-known miracle passages in the Gospels — in no small part because of how visceral the fear and astonishment is on the part of the disciples, and how we, like them, can scarcely understand how something like this could even be possible. Yet for all the confusion they (and we) experience, there are two very important allusions in this text that continue to explain exactly who Jesus is — and why the disciples worship him.

Jesus walking on the face of the water, and his ability to cease the wind in verse 32, have unavoidable resonances with the very act of creation in Genesis 1 — from the ruach (Spirit/wind) of God hovering over the face of the deep, to God bringing order to chaos. To control the elements of nature was something reserved for God alone — and so part of the disciples’ awe was recognizing that Jesus held that sort of power and authority.

Jesus’ divinity, though, is made even clearer through his response in verse 27 to the disciples’ fear: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid”. The Greek behind the phrase “it is I” is ego eimi — which is better translated as “I AM”, the famous name God gives to Moses in Exodus 3 from the burning bush. Jesus telling the disciples “I AM; do not be afraid” is a promise to them — and to us — that God will always watch over us through any storm in life we might face and, through Jesus, we may truly know God is with us.

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Prayer
Holy God, in times of fear, uncertainty, and doubt, help me take heart that you are always with me — and that your love will never let me go. Amen.

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Written by Matt Helms, Associate Pastor for Children, Family, and Welcoming Ministries

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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