October 25th, 2006 Walk on Water
I was listening to Audio Adrenaline’s “Walk on Water” yesterday in the car and had a thought. Actually, several, all related to the story of Jesus inviting Peter out onto the water. Here’s the version of the story in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 14:22-33 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Matthew 14:22-33 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F40014022-40014033" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F40014022-40014033" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2>
<div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p40014022.01-1">Jesus Walks on the Water</h3>
<p id="p40014022.06-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v40014022-1">22 </span>Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. <span class="verse-num" id="v40014023-1">23 </span>And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, <span class="verse-num" id="v40014024-1">24 </span>but the boat by this time was a long way<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Greek 'many stadia', a 'stadion' was about 607 feet or 185 meters">[1]</a></span> from the land,<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Some manuscripts 'was out on the sea'">[2]</a></span> beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. <span class="verse-num" id="v40014025-1">25 </span>And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. <span class="verse-num" id="v40014026-1">26 </span>But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. <span class="verse-num" id="v40014027-1">27 </span>But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, <span class="woc">“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”</span></p>
<p id="p40014028.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v40014028-1">28 </span>And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” <span class="verse-num" id="v40014029-1">29 </span>He said, <span class="woc">“Come.”</span> So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. <span class="verse-num" id="v40014030-1">30 </span>But when he saw the wind,<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Some manuscripts 'strong wind'">[3]</a></span> he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” <span class="verse-num" id="v40014031-1">31 </span>Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, <span class="woc">“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”</span> <span class="verse-num" id="v40014032-1">32 </span>And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. <span class="verse-num" id="v40014033-1">33 </span>And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p>
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<div class="footnotes">
<h3>Footnotes</h3>
<p><span class="footnote"><a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">14:24</span> Greek <em>many stadia</em>, a <em>stadion</em> was about 607 feet or 185 meters
<br />
<span class="footnote"><a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">14:24</span> Some manuscripts <em>was out on the sea</em>
<br />
<span class="footnote"><a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">14:30</span> Some manuscripts <em>strong wind</em>
</p>
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</div>
):
Immediately he 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 a long way 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 on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And 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 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 took hold of him, saying to him, “O you 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.”
Thought #1: Compare this passage to Hebrews 12:2 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Hebrews 12:2 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F58012002" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F58012002" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2>
<div class="esv-text"><p id="p58012002.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v58012002-1">2 </span>looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p>
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</div>… it seems to me that the author is referring back to Peter’s experience.
Thought #2: Okay, this is a bit more complex, but stay with me. What is the sea to an Israelite? And a boat on the sea? It would certainly call to mind the ark floating on the waters of judgment. And the rough seas would remind an Israelite of the gentile nations (see Psalm 68:22 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Psalm 68:22 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F19068022" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F19068022" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2>
<div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent">
<p class="line-group" id="p19068022.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v19068022-1">22 </span>The Lord said,<br />
<span class="indent"></span>“I will bring them back from Bashan,<br />
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p>
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</div>, Isaiah 23:11 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Isaiah 23:11 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F23023011" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F23023011" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2>
<div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent">
<p class="line-group" id="p23023011.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v23023011-1">11 </span>He has stretched out his hand over the sea;<br />
<span class="indent"></span>he has shaken the kingdoms;<br />
the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> has given command concerning Canaan<br />
<span class="indent"></span>to destroy its strongholds. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p>
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</div>, Isaiah 60:5 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Isaiah 60:5 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F23060005" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F23060005" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2>
<div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent">
<p class="line-group" id="p23060005.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v23060005-1">5 </span>Then you shall see and be radiant;<br />
<span class="indent"></span>your heart shall thrill and exult,<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Hebrew 'your heart shall tremble and grow wide'">[1]</a></span><br />
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,<br />
<span class="indent"></span>the wealth of the nations shall come to you. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p>
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<div class="footnotes">
<h3>Footnotes</h3>
<p><span class="footnote"><a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">60:5</span> Hebrew <em>your heart shall tremble and grow wide</em>
</p>
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</div> among others). Here we have Peter getting out of the ark (the only safe place on an angry sea) and walking on the waters of judgment. Or, at the level of nations, leaving the safety of the promised land for the chaos of the gentile nations.
Jesus was instructing Peter on what was coming and on how to survive. Everything was about to become topsy-turvy. The church would be dispersed throughout the world, and in so doing would paradoxically be used to gather in the elect. The angry waves of the sea would be crashing all around. How would Peter and the early church (and us) survive? By fixing his eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:43 am
Interesting, considering that we just did the Peter/Cornelius sheet bit in Acts a few Sundays ago… heck, it’s possible.