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There is a tale of three fishermen who went fishing one day. One was a Catholic priest, another a Baptist preacher, and the third a Methodist minister. They went out on a local lake in a small boat. After a while, the priest looks at his companions and comments, "I'm thirsty and we're out of drinks. I think I'll go back to the car for a soda. Anybody else want one?" The preacher and the minister shake their heads "No." The priest stands up, climbs over the side of the boat, and to the astonishment of the Methodist minister, walks across the water to the shore, gets a drink, and walks back to the boat! The minister doesn't know what to say, but the preacher doesn't seem to notice, so he figures he'll keep quiet too.
A little while later, the preacher looks up and says, "I need some more bait. I'm going back to get some. Anyone need anything?" The others say no, so the preacher stands up, climbs over the side of the boat, and walks back to the shore! He gets his bait and returns to the boat the same way.
Well, the Methodist minister is beside himself. He can't believe his eyes! Okay, he thinks to himself, if these two can walk on water, so can I. My faith is as strong as theirs! So, he begins to pray hard. "God, take away my doubts. Let me do as my brothers and get to the shore across the water." He takes a deep breath and says to his companions, "I'm hungry. I think I'll go get a sandwich. Want one?" Neither of the others do. So, praying hard all the while, the minister stands up, climbs over the side of the boat, and sinks like a stone.
The priest and the preacher scramble to retrieve the minister before he drowns. They pull him into the boat where they help him wring his clothes out. Then they get back to their fishing.
Well, the minister is embarrassed to say the least! Obviously, he thinks, some doubt must have crept into me. I'll try again and pray harder. Which he does. "God, I'm sorry I doubted you. Please, please strengthen my faith." Once again, he stands up, climbs over the side of the boat, and sinks like a stone.
Again, the priest and the preacher scramble to save the minister. As they are hauling him out of the water, the preacher looks at the priest and asks, "Do you think we should tell him where the rocks are?"
Today's gospel reading is a familiar tale, so familiar that it has become a cliché. When confronted with a daunting, even impossible, task, we often ask in frustration, "What?! Do you expect me to walk on water??"
The story begins, though, with Jesus needing some time alone to rest and recharge after an exhausting time of preaching and feeding the multitude. He sends the disciples ahead of him across the Sea of Galilee. In the night, the winds rise and the waters become turbulent, threatening the boat and the its occupants. Jesus comes to their aid in the most direct way possible: he walks out to them.
A lot of people have attached great theological significance to this act. Jesus behaves in a supernatural way and is even initially mistaken for a ghost. People have seen this as an indication of Jesus' divinity. I like to take the story simply and straightforward. Jesus came to the aid of his friends who needed him. That's a message that Matthew wanted to give the early church, and to us. When you're in trouble, Jesus comes to your aid. He isn't going to let you drown.
But the disciples don't initially recognize him. They're afraid. No, the text says they were terrified! Jesus has to reassure them. They think he's a ghost! Now, a lot of us snicker at the disciples. After all, who else would be walking across the water but Jesus? We have an advantage over the disciples because we know the story. If I were sitting in canoe on Lynn Gray's lake and a man came walking on the water from the shore, I'd be proclaiming the Second Coming and worshipping my Lord. But what if Jesus came another way?
Rod Serling wrote a very provocative "Twilight Zone" episode about a man on an airplane. The man was sitting in a window seat by the wing. When he looked out the window, he saw a creature cavorting on the wing! The plane was high in the air. Nothing could stand on the wing in midflight, let alone jump and wave its arms! The man looks away in terror, convinced he is hallucinating. But when he looks again, the creature is still there. What would we do if confronted with such a vision? Suspect that someone had drugged our coffee? Run to the doctor? Pretend it had never happened?
Would we recognize Jesus if he appeared to us? We are a rational, scientific people. We like logical explanations. There's a cartoon I've seen in which two scientists are reviewing a complicated equation written on a blackboard. Toward the end of the equation, there is a note that says, "Then a miracle occurs." One scientist is saying to the other, obviously the author of the equation, " I think it needs a little more definition here," pointing to the miracle phrase. We are skeptical and questioning. We want to know how the magician makes the woman disappear. And sometimes we forget God's question of Abraham: "Is anything too hard for God?"
So Jesus reassures the disciples that they aren't seeing a ghost. Yet Peter still has questions. Look at how he phrases his question to Jesus. "Lord, if it is you…" Who did Peter think it was? Jesus has already identified himself. Is it perhaps a demon or Satan masquerading as Jesus? It raises a question for us. How do we know God? Even Jesus reminds us that not everyone who preaches in his name is his disciple. How do we recognize God in the world today?
These aren't bad questions. In fact, I encourage you to ask them of anyone who claims to be sent by God. You should ask it about me. And in fact Methodists do ask it of every single person who seeks to enter the ministry. The historic Wesleyan question is "Have they fruits?" Paul says, "By their fruits you shall know them." I think that looking for the fruits of a ministry is important in discerning where and how God is acting in the world or the church or your life.
I'll give you a couple of examples of looking for fruits. This week I heard that scientists have genetically engineered seeds that are sterile. They're trying to protect the patent that corporations have on hybrid seeds. With regular seed, farmers often save some for next year's planting, avoiding the cost of new seed. They're supposed to buy new seed every year, but they don't. And if they are caught, they can be fined. Still, the corporations know that they're losing money. So they have genetically engineered seed to be sterile. This would force farmers to come back to them to buy seed every year. Now, this may be good capitalism, but I don't think God is acting here. Greed is. There are several indications. Farmers have rightly been concerned with what happens if this sterile seed cross-pollinates with other seed. Will that regular seed now become sterile too? What about poorer countries that buy seed from use? Are we continuing their cycle of dependence upon us economically? The fruits of this enterprise are human and not of the Spirit.
A different case is Habitat for Humanity. This organization was started by a couple disillusioned with corporations and greed and who felt God acting in their lives. They began a program that provides good, low-cost housing to the working poor. They involve the future homeowners in the building of the home. They place homes in transitional areas that are often rejuvenated by Habitat's presence. They draw volunteers and supporters from all parts of society. The are interested in building up God's people, all of God's people. The new homeowner and the volunteer alike. I have seen the wonder of the formation of bonds across racial, ethnic, and economic differences as people come together to build a family a home. There is no doubt in my heart that the Spirit of God is present in each venture. Everyone wins and God is glorified.
Peter understood that. Jesus invited him to come out of the boat and walk to him. And Peter did! Maybe not all the way, but farther than I ever have walked on water! Peter was willing to take the risk of meeting Jesus, even on the water. He went to Jesus.
When was the last time you asked Peter's question and then risked acting on the answer. "If it's you, Lord, can I come where you are?" Most people ask a different question. They want to know how God is acting in them or their church. Is God here? Rather, Peter asks if he can go where God is. In asking "Is God here?" we are waiting on God to arrive. But in asking Peter's question, we are actively seeking where God is already and asking to be part of his work there.
I feel a lot like that with all of you. I've discovered that almost every idea I've had or suggestion I've made regarding ministry is already happening in some way. I sometimes think that I'm running to catch up with you. So, like Peter, I'm asking God if I can step out of the boat and join him in his work here. Take my word for it, it leaves you breathless at times! And it can be scary. Like Peter, I find myself doubting and sinking. Then I call on the name of God and rescued and reassured.
A popular phrase that you see emblazoned on T-shirts and bracelets and jewelry is "What Would Jesus Do?" It's a good thing to ask. But today let's ask it a little differently. Rather than "What Would Jesus Do?", let's ask "What Is Jesus Doing?" And then, "Can I be a part of it too?" What would happen if you asked Jesus if you could go where he is? Stepping out of the boat is the scariest part. And sometimes, you might sink. But you won't drown. Jesus is there to help.
I want to go where God is rather than waiting in the boat. Will you come with me?
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
