08.09.2026- Pentecost 11 - Pastor Chris

This is one of those well known stories in the Bible. Many remember the part where Peter walks on water but there’s a ton of great content around that pivotal part of this reading. 

Our reading picks up where last week left off. Jesus sends the disciples on their way, and after he has finally dismissed the crowds, he is able to do what he set out to do a few hours ago; Jesus needs to pray. After hearing of John’s death Jesus desired some time by himself and finally he gets it.

While Jesus is in prayer, the disciples are in peril. I wonder what was more terrifying, the storm or Jesus walking on water. You don't see that too often. I do wonder how often people in Jesus’ day experienced ghosts, but that’s what they think Jesus is. Peter, the usual spokesman for the 12, speaks up to confirm that Jesus is not a ghost. “Command me to come to you.” Jesus indulges Peter, and for a moment he is doing well, but then he remembers the wind. I do wonder what kept Peter from feeling the effects of the wind for those first few steps on the water? Was it the excitement that he was doing the same thing as Jesus? Regardless, it is short lived. Fear overtakes him and he begins to sink. Did he sink slowly or did he drop like a stone, as any of us would? Peter knows how to respond in his moment of crisis, he cries out to Jesus, and Jesus reaches out to him in his time of need. How does God continue to reach out to us when we find ourselves in similar situations? I don’t think this was a one-time-thing, rather God continues to reach out to us, whether we cry out or not. 

How do you hear Jesus in verse 31? Is he scolding Peter? I have a hard time hearing Jesus with a scolding tone (the modern day church does that enough) instead I think Jesus is simply reminding Peter that he doesn't need to doubt because Jesus is there with him. Jesus is still with us today. Jesus recognizes his doubt, Peter doesn’t need to hide it. Too often we feel like we need to hide our shortcomings but it can be comforting to remember that God always knows what we’re going through, to remember that we never struggle alone.

I love the physical contact that Jesus makes with Peter. He reaches out his hand and pulls Peter out of the water. The Bible is filled with stories where the divine makes physical contact with creation. I need these stories to remind me that God loves me enough to reach out and rescue me when I need to be saved. 

After Jesus has rescued Peter, Matthew writes, “they got into the boat.” It’s comforting that Jesus gets into the “boat” with us. We are never left abandoned, rather God is always with us. (Holy Spirit.)

I do wonder why the wind ceased when they got into the boat. It seems so supernatural to me. It is so powerful, the only way the 11 know how to respond, is through worship. May we be inspired by the end of this reading to remember the ways and times God has moved in our lives, those times when the divine has reached out to us in our times of need, and may the promise that God is always there lead us to worship.