:22-33 – “Don’t Try This at Home” 10th Sunday after Pentecost | August 9, 2020

Reality TV often gathers large numbers of viewers by presenting acts that are not only unique, but also perilous. Do an internet search of “most dangerous acts” and you will see video clips that have been watched millions of times. People are engaging in risky and potentially deadly behavior using spears, knives and fire. And as you watch those programs a warning scroll across your screen, “Do not try this at Home.” We could attach that label to today’s reading, the account of walking on water. That wasn’t risky for Him. He’s the and this incident proves it. It was Peter and all the disciples who were engaging in risky behavior. Here is the thesis we will use today to explore this text: the security of the Savior overcomes the danger of doubt.

We’ll start from the back side of that thesis and talk about the danger of doubt. That was the real peril here. Remember that the disciples were experienced fisherman. They had been in storms before. But something different is happening now. In the feeding of the 5,000, immediately prior to this, the dull disciples didn’t realize that Jesus could multiply the loaves and fish and care for all those people. The lesson they should have learned then was that Jesus truly is the Son of God, the Lord and Master of Creation. But they didn’t. In St. Mark’s parallel account of this text, it says of the disciples, “they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” They still didn’t fully grasp the full identity and mission of Jesus. Yes, He might be a -worker, a prophet, a motivational-speaker, but they didn’t yet totally believe that He was the Son of God and the Savior of the World. That’s why doubt and fear are so evident here.

A risky, perilous activity we shouldn’t “try” at home or anywhere else is the danger of succumbing to the threats of this world instead of focusing on Jesus. If we were to hand out notepads today and I would give you the assignment of writing down your doubts and fears, that wouldn’t be very difficult, would it? The present pandemic has multiplied that list. Think of all the questions and concerns you have about life that - to be honest - really reflect a lack of trust in Jesus: will I have good health; will I have enough money to get through life; will my job be secure or will I be in the next round of layoffs; will I always be able to take care of myself; will I ever be able to retire; will this virus ever be defeated; what kind of future will my children have; will our country and our world ever have peace? All those thoughts are dangerous because doubt leads to despair, and despair leads to denial of God’s love and concern for us, and that sort of denial ultimately leads to disbelief. So many times, just like the disciples on the stormy sea, we cry out in fear.

And how does our Savior respond? With security and salvation. This account is all about who He is and what He does for us. Remember that after the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus sent the disciples on ahead so He could go to a private place and pray. He wasn’t withdrawing from those nearest to Him, He was petitioning the Father in heaven on their behalf. He intercedes for us as well, now ascended to the Father’s right hand in heaven. Neither was the Lord absent from them. If we look at the time references of the text, the disciples had been rowing for about nine hours. But then in a moment, Jesus appears to them. He’s right there. Verse 25 is significant. It says, “In the fourth watch of the night (between 3-6 a.m.) He came to them.” The force of the verb came is that He arrived. I don’t know how far you picture Peter walking on the water, but when we understand that Jesus had arrived, it makes Peter’s little stroll shorter, and His lack of faith more pitiful. Jesus was with him already. Our Lord reached out His hand (v.31) and took hold of Him.

The lesson here is that Jesus saves. It’s not about us, it’s about Him for us, as every account asserts. I’ve heard and read sermons on this text where Peter is praised. So we need to be bold and get out of the boat like Him. But Peter is a negative example of the sinful fears and doubts and fears that all of us have. Jesus didn’t congratulate Him and say, “I’m proud of you. I knew you could do it. Next time just focus better and go all the way.” No, our Lord stretched out His hand and saved Him; the same hands that were extended and nailed to the cross; the same scarred hands He showed to His disciples after His resurrection; the same hands that hold us as the Sheep of His pasture; the hands from which no one will ever pluck us.

Our Lord’s walking on water was not merely a sensational stunt meant to draw an audience. It was an affirmation that He is our Savior. It was a foreshadowing of His greatest rescue when He gave His life on Calvary’s cross and rose again at the . And it is meant to evoke the same response of worship and confession as occurred with the disciples. So marvel at His power and love power, and then confess, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Try that. Do that. Daily practice that, at home and everywhere else. Always. Amen.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church (LCMS) – Moline, IL Rev. Dr. Wilfred L. Karsten, Pastor