Then
he (Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other
side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he
went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there
alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land,
beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came
to them, walking upon the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the
sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
But immediately he spoke to them, saying,
“Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you,
bid me come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the
water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning
to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him,
saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”
And when they got into the boat, the wind
ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of
God.” (Matthew 14:22-33)
Overwhelming
Authority…
This text was likely written in Antioch of Syria by
Matthew’s church within in the eighth decade of the first
century. The script faithfully repeats a story told decades earlier in
the Markan gospel. We consider then that Mark’s writing likely was one of the
sources used by our Matthean writer. The story is also found as penned in brief
account in the Gospel According to Saint John.
Somewhat startlingly to biblical students,
however, is that the account does not appear in Luke’s gospel. This is so, even
though Luke is believed to be written during the same decade as Matthew’s
gospel, and the Lucan writer seemingly used much of the same resources. We might rightly ask then, “Why was this wonderful
historical tradition included in Matthew and not in Luke?”
I believe the answer to this question may be found
when we consider the community of the writings. Let’s ask ourselves, “Was either
a conflict or a consensus present in that locality that made Matthew include this
section and the following story? Did it address an issue that was not important
elsewhere for the emergent churches of Luke?”
While it may have been a simple practicality that
made Luke omit the account, possibly because of available space limitations within the parchment. In my opinion it seems more likely that there was an issue of
authority that was being challenged in Matthew’s audience. This issue was
seemingly not important for the contemporary Lukan communities, but was far more important for
Matthew.
You see, the population of the church in ancient
Syria was likely challenged far more by traditional Hebrew politics and
theology than in Luke’s diaspora Greek communities. Here we can see that the text we
examine today, not found in Luke, firmly established the
authority of Jesus over all of creation.
WARNING!
Deep Water…
Additionally, we read in this story echoed
from the Markan tradition… about how Jesus went “alone” to the mountain to
pray. Meanwhile the disciples rowed a good distance out from the seashore on
their own. To me this sounds uncomfortably like many a church population that
leaves the sanctuary on any given Sunday. Subsequently we know that here, in
somewhat prophetic fashion for any person or church that tries to go it alone,
the waves described in the story became very violent.
We may ask, “How violent?” I say to you..,
“Very!” Look closely and compare the story from Mark (see Mark
6:45-52). We note a slight change of text for the writing
of the Matthean church. In Mark the church made their way “painfully” as the waves
flowed “against” them. Here in Matthew, however, we note with emphasis that they
were “beaten” by the waves. Though this linguistic difference seems subtle, I
think it significant for us as we consider this text. We can ask, “Was
Matthew’s church beginning to encounter a greater storm in later decades than
their earlier counterparts found within Mark’s church?” For our
purposes here, let us assume so.
Can’t
See Stars?
If we follow this assumption with the fact that
in both accounts the environment portrayed was “dark”, so much so that it was
the darkest… the fourth watch of the night. It was during this time of deep mystical
uncertainty that our Lord came to them. Jesus arrived striding as Master upon
the turbulent water. Jesus thus demonstrated divine power over the natural
forces of creation… even those that can cause death. We note here however, that Matthew
does not relate that he immediately calmed the waters. The gospel writer instead
told us that the disciples first thought that he was a fearful ghost (in the Greek - phantasma). Indeed of
such horrid, ghastly phenomena were like devouring mermaids, who citizens believed would lure
and drag unwary pre-scientific persons from the nave of their boat into the realm of
the sea dragon.
However, in this lesson answering their cry, Jesus came walking
upon the turbulent water. He drew near… and his words echoed perfectly… repeated
exactly as should be... from Mark’s gospel. Our Lord thus stated instruction to the Matthean church
community… which was going through a dark time of authoritative uncertainty…
“Take
heart, it is I; have no fear.” he said.
Graceful
Salvation!
We note also with great importance that
the second part of the story was read initially only to the Matthean church of
the late first century. It was written during a time when waves of stress and
persecution were looming high for those early Christians. The reading gives
credence to my thoughts that this is why the second scene, which is not found
in the other gospels.., related rightly the story of Peter’s watery walk. It was
told to a community that had inherited the traditions and stories told by that great
apostle. Matthew told his church of the startling and miraculous event wherein
blessed Peter got out of the boat… and surprisingly walked on water in faith.
Consider the mind of the hearer! Even the one upon whom Jesus told he
would build his Church, found the watery tempest a bit more than his faith
could handle.
Certainly! Consider that the Church was told that even
blessed Peter sank and began to drown, but in rather baptismal representation
he was rescued from the drowning water by our Lord. Peter then, in being bold, found that indeed the
Lord is not a vaporous entity, a ghost… but was, and yet still is for them and
us… very real and very God.
Jesus is not a phantom that lures us to death,
but is the Son of God who would give the power of the Holy Spirit (in
the Greek - hagios pneumatikos). The Spirit was given to the whole Church and they dared to believe
even more so. The Holy Spirit, is not a harmful ghost. The Spirit is also very God… the One who
hovered over the chaotic waters of creation at the beginning of all things. Consequently,
the Spirit that Christ Jesus sends is the Spirit of himself that provides those
in the Church with life eternal through baptism.
The story tells each of us,
therefore as Christians, to hold tightly to the hand of God who comes to us
walking on baptismal water. This is the message of Matthew written using
the seafaring imagery familiar in the culture. Consequently, the Matthean writer clearly
stated that Jesus Christ is Lord over all of creation… even to the point of
mastery over nature, drowning, death, demons, and the Dragon. The writer thus
related long ago about our having faith over against persecutions and doubt.
We then should reflect as a people who walk in the footsteps of the disciples… and
know that whenever we fail due to fear, we are called to receive faith, and as such rise up
and forever proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. I offer that of such is the miracle
related by Matthew. It is very good to be found yet rowing in the nave.
May the Peace of God that surpasses all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
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