Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 14:22-33 on biblegateway.com
Verse 22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. Verse 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, Verse 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. Verse 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. Verse 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. Verse 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Verse 28Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Verse 29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. Verse 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Verse 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Verse 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Verse 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Devotion
So, where's your church? I often get asked as I'm whipping up a latte for a customer at The Bridge who has just asked what I do. "It's right here," I reply. I must admit, I do like to see their puzzled faces in response to my unexpected reply. And they're right. If all they know and love is the traditional church with pews and organs and Sunday offering plates, sipping on a cup of coffee in a coffee shop hardly resembles the church!
Ah, but maybe it does. Do you sing and read scripture in church? We do too. Do you gather in small groups and pray? We do too. Do you love your neighbor and collect money for mission? We do too. We just do it differently.
In today's gospel, Jesus is calling us to do it differently. But his call is not just for the sake of being different; it is for the sake of those who need rescuing in a different way that meets them where they're at and bridges them with God's saving love. Oh, what can happen when we step out of the boat in faith!
Prayer
Saving God, give us strength to step out of the boat for the sake of the world. Amen.