Step Out
Matthew 14:22-33
Rev. Dr. Mary Alice Mulligan
Our ancestors in the faith believed to be out on the water was dangerous, not just because natural causes could make a fishing boat capsize and people could drown. To ancient Hebrew peoples, a large body of water was the supernatural place of chaos, containing forces opposed to God’s creative goodness. So fisherfolk had to be brave. Out on the sea, unholy forces could turn the wind against them and anything could happen. Only God can control the seas. At creation, God drew order out of the chaos of primal waters. When the Israelites escaped Egyptian enslavement, God divided the Red Sea.
As we continue chapter 14 of Matthew, we move to the sea. Last week we heard John the Baptizer had been executed. Jesus wants time alone to pray, but the people find him. Full of compassion, Jesus empowers his disciples to feed 5000 people. But then finally, he is able to head off alone to spend time in prayer. Continuing the 14th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, listen for the word of God.
Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Storms are inevitable. Every group has times when opposition whips up. Sometimes the storm is literal, like for these early followers of Jesus. He is off praying in the hills when the sea stirs up a turmoil with winds turned against them keeping them from getting ashore. But other times, storms are figurative, like when political winds beat against what followers of Jesus know to be true. Equality Florida recently reminded us that we just experienced the most anti-LGBTQ legislative session in our state’s history, with more teaching restrictions through 12th grade, threats to drag shows and pride festivals, banning of gender affirming care for minors, a near-total ban on abortions, allowing healthcare professionals to discriminate in providing services, and attacking freedom in higher education. Waves are battering against the rights of those who are part of or allies of the queer community. But opposition also rose against teaching American history including the place of African Americans, indigenous peoples, anyone else who isn’t white, and women of all races. To make sure winds stay firmly against these persons’ rights and power, offices of equality, diversity, and inclusion were defunded. Storms of opposition are stirred up and strong.
But political storms are not the worst ones people face. Almost a year ago, The Christian Century[i] published articles about Christian dominion-ism and Christian nationalism, noting how so-called Christian groups contradict some of Christianity’s basic tenets. More recently, people are sharing stories from numerous church communities, where members complain their preacher’s sermons are too liberal. Several articles published recently[ii] report congregational opposition to subversive teachings like “Love your enemies” and “Turn the other cheek.” Listeners don’t like sermons which oppose the stances of certain American Christians. When pastors tell complaining parishioners that they are literally quoting Jesus, people tell them such teachings are no longer appropriate. Hear that? People think Jesus’ basic teachings are no longer appropriate. Storms of opposition are raging.
But this is in part because Jesus’ presence can be scary. The truth is, for most of us the reality of Jesus can be upsetting, even alarming. Notice the scene from scripture. Jesus’ earliest followers are being knocked about their boat by wind and waves. The seasoned fishers know not to panic; just do their jobs to keep afloat. But then, a figure looking like Jesus comes strolling into their field of vision – on the sea. They are terrified. Is Jesus dead and here is his ghost? The sea is home to chaotic forces, opposed to God. This apparition cannot be good. No wonder their response is fear.
However, being terrified of Jesus is not relegated to the first century. Any modern congregation can experience being afraid about some calling from God we sense will drive us out of our comfort zone. What if suddenly we had a dozen children attending St. Andrew? It sounds great, but we would have to create a place for them, and a program, with volunteers to work it. And children would be disruptive!
For some churches, the scariest moments come actually when they are about to succeed in some huge project. It seems counter-intuitive, but approaching success can be petrifying. Suppose a group of us got excited about building sensible-rent apartments on part of our property? The plans are already drawn. What if we found a finance source and cut through the mountains of red-tape to get approval to build and found ourselves just a month or so from breaking ground? This alarming financial investment; a huge responsibility of maintaining apartments for upcoming decades; the reality of knowing any profit from rents is years away. It might very well feel like we are in the middle of a storm and something that seems godly is approaching, but we can’t quite tell if it is God or an evil twin, luring us into certain destruction. How in the world can a congregation tell if Jesus is actually among us or not? And if it is Jesus, what if we actually succeed where he is calling us? Sometimes it just feels safer to stay where we are. No thank you Jesus. Sometimes having Jesus among us seems too scary.
So you must choose to follow Jesus individually. Each person has to decide to step out on their own to commit to faith in Jesus. Even after each of the disciples decides to follow Jesus, the ongoing decisions about faithful behavior have to be made individually, which is why poor Peter gets such a bad rap about this scene. How many sermons have you heard about faithless Peter taking his eyes off Jesus and starting to sink? But remember, Peter was part of a congregation of disciples in the boat. And he is the only one – the only one – who stepped out.
Which shows how, even in the midst of a congregation, some decisions still need to be made individually. Of course, a congregation is essential, helping to shape each of you in the Christian faith. St. Andrew, as a distinct group and part of the United Church of Christ, is different from any other congregation, even as it resembles others in the UCC. Each believer needs a faith group, but you choose which group on your own.
One of the great things about St. Andrew is, as soon as you walk in the door you are a part of the family. You walk in and the congregation makes a commitment to you. You belong. No matter who you are or what you have done in your life, the welcome here is real.
But then in time, you are given the opportunity to respond to the welcome by making a commitment back to St. Andrew, and to Jesus Christ. When anyone steps out in faith to place membership at St. Andrew, they are making a commitment to God and back to this congregation. It’s as if the person says to the rest of the congregation, “No matter who you are or what the journey has been so far, I am committed to you.” Membership commitments are made one person at a time, on purpose. In making the commitment, each person is agreeing with the opening lines of the constitution of the United Church of Christ that Jesus Christ is the sole head of the church, so each person brings individual gifts, but commits to unity together in Christ. Each person is invited to discover new ideas about God and to share their ideas with the rest of the church, trusting God’s Spirit to guide decisions, which enriches the church for all. Today and in the future, as people join St. Andrew, rejoice that they have individually made commitments to Christ and this congregation.
[i] Keri Ladner, “The Quiet Rise of Christian Dominionism,” and Cynthia Lindner, “What Christian Nationalism Is and What to Do about it,” a review of The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People are Drawn In and How to Talk across the Divide, in The Christian Century. November 2022.
[ii] See for instance, Aila Slisco, “Evangelicals are Now Rejecting ‘Liberal Teachings of Jesus,” Newsweek, August 9, 2023, and Joe Wiinikka-Lyndon, Emerson Hodges, and R.G. Cravens, “Old Bigotries Melded with New Conspiracies Burgeon White Christian Nationalism,” The Year in Hate and Extremism: 2022, Southern Poverty Law Center (Montgomery, AL, 2023).