Boat Stories

I call them boat stories, those stories in the gospels where Jesus calms the storm that threatens the lives of the disciples while they are in the boat travelling across water.  There is one particular story told in three of the gospels - Matthew, Mark and John.  It is the story when Jesus sent his disciples to the other side in a boat while he goes into the mountains to pray alone.  It is in the fourth watch of the night, which is sometime between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. that the disciples find themselves on a boat, alone, in a storm.  Suddenly Jesus appears to them, walking on the water.  The disciples were afraid fearing that they were seeing a ghost, but Jesus says to them, "Take Courage.  It is I.  Don't be Afraid."  Then Jesus enters the boat and calms the storm.  When you compare the three stories, Matthew provides one addition - the conversation between Jesus and Peter when Peter says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."  Jesus said, "Come."  Peter started walking on the water, until he saw the wind, then became afraid, and he began to drown.  He cried out, "Lord, save me."  Jesus did reach out his hand and pulled Peter to safety.  Then Jesus said, "You of little faith.  Why did you doubt?"

It's one thing to walk on a boat that shifts with the flow of the water below it.  There is a cadence you have to develop to walk on water, even when you are on a ship.  One can only imagine the spiritual cadence you have to develop to walk with Jesus on nothing but water itself.  Well, perhaps Jesus doesn't call us to walk on water literally, but he does call us to follow him, and to walk with him in faith can feel as uncertain and frightening as walking on water by itself.  You can't control the wind and the waves against you.  Life has many uncontrollabe events that frighten us, and we can spiritually drown in all of life's fear.  How do we overcome?

Keep  your eyes on Jesus, and as Matthew reminds us, when we begin to sink in our fear and uncertainty, and we will from time to time, reach out for his hand to pull you out.

This week, as you continue your journey toward the cross and the truth behind the empty tomb, your walk will take you across the water.  Yes, swinging bridges, small boats - all can feel unsteady and uncertain, just like faith.  Just keep your eyes on Jesus, and reach out for his hand when you begin to sink.  He will keep you on the Lenten journey.

Dennis