Tuesday, June 4, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
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 toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, 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 toward 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 worshiped 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

Ever curious, ever testing, Peter trusts Jesus enough to step out of the boat onto the stormy sea. His confidence wavers, caught up in the tempest of winds and waters swirling around him. He doubts. He falters. Jesus reaches out to Peter and leads him safely back to the boat.

In this excerpt, Peter ventures out, falters, nearly loses himself, and is saved. Jesus calls Peter out, pretty much pleadingly, “What does it take for you to maintain faith in me?”

Like this disciple, I think about times when my faith is less than sure, when I am distracted or in doubt. I see myself in Peter. Reflecting on the passage today, Peter’s venture out on the water, told only in Matthew, adds something poignant and relatable.

Faith, as in meditation, asks for both intention and discipline in order to maintain focus amidst everything vying constantly for attention. The more conscious I am, the more I focus, the more I grow, step by step. In my journey of faith, Jesus is my guide, imploring me to trust, returning my focus again and again to God’s presence and assuredness.

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Prayer
God, whose presence is in both the turbulent water and clearing dawn, calm what roils within me and around me. As I trust in Jesus Christ as my guide and inspiration, help me grow in faith in you. Amen.

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Written by Laura Sterkel, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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