Matthew 14: 22-32
In today’s story, the point that caught my eyes is what Peter says at the beginning of the story. Once Jesus has appeared on the sea, walking toward the disciples, and has assured them that it is he, Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Peter doubted Jesus was who he said he was and demanded proof of his identity, using the very same phrase the devil used when the devil tested Jesus in the wilderness, “If you are the Son of God, do this thing, then this, then this.”
We all have got a little bit of the devil in us, asking Jesus to prove himself by doing something spectacular for us and by giving us an exemption from carrying the cross.
Is there anyone among us who has never asked God for an exemption? Please, O God, suspend the rules just this once and make me know that you are there, my Lord and my Savior. Prove it to me, heal me, show me, help me, talk to me out loud. Leave me no room to doubt you; then, I will believe. In this sense, we tend to want the burden of proof to be on Jesus, not us.
Who is hidden in today’s story? Well, the rest of the eleven disciples may have faith enough to stay in the boat, hauling on the oars together and remained sitting in their position until their Lord came to them.
Maybe, today’s story is about other eleven disciples who never think of themselves as heroes, who never dream of putting Jesus to the test, who are willing to row against the wind until Jesus gets into the boat with them, no matter how long it takes.
I believe Jesus still calls us to become like the eleven disciples, not like Peter who seems super-faithful and amazingly brave, but seemingly ordinary people, remaining faithful all the time by patiently sitting there in the boat without being swayed.
The good news for us is that the Lord is near and still coming, not to save us from the storm, but to be with us in the harsh realities of our lives, making us take another step in front of the other, no matter what the circumstances are, even in the midst of stormy life.
Let’s keep remaining in the boat faithfully and patiently.
Amen.