Pentecost 10 - Proper 14

09 August 2020

Matthew 14:22-33

What the Savior thinks of Little Faith

“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”   How the words must have seared Peter’s conscience, as they do ours. It’s embarrassingly easy to identify with Peter for we are so often tossed about by our doubts and fears. This morning let’s consider that the Savior has to say concerning a little faith.

I.        It shouldn’t exist.

A.         Jesus takes care of His disciples. Consider the situation in our text for this morning. (Vv.22-29)

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. {Matthew 14:22-29}

1.      He sent His disciples away. They would not be tempted to join the crowd that wanted to make Him a bread king. “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd” (V. 22)

2.      He came to be them on the seas. Although the danger was overpowering. “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.”  (Vv.23-25)

3.      He comforted them by identifying Himself. “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.”It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."  (Vv. 26-27)

4.   He granted Peter’s request with an enabling word. “Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said” (Vv.28-29)

B.         But His disciples forgot all this. (v. 30)

“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

1.         Peter thought the wind and the waves were a bigger threat than Jesus was a help. We also face many forms of worldly forgetfulness.

a.       Some may half jokingly say, “I hope Judgment Day doesn’t come until after Friday night!”

b.   We may forget the Lord in our day-to-day concerns, relying instead on ourselves, our friends, our money, our cleverness, etc.

c.       In the church today there is a preoccupation with gimmicks. People then think it is only concerning with self-preservation.

2.         We believe Jesus – but only part way. And that’s worse of all. Peter was in no great danger until he got on the water and doubted.

Transition: Surrounded by doubt, fear, and little faith we must turn to Jesus our Rock and our Redeemer.

II.     Little faith willed with doubt and fear did not stop Jesus.

A.         He saves people of little faith. (V.31) “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

1.         He is motivated by grace. There is no question who is carrying for whom.

2.         He substituted for all – even those of little faith.

a.         He lived with constant confidence in God. (V. 23) “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.”

b.         He died facing the danger that results from little faith.

3.         Believing is receiving. Even when Jesus works a miracle its meaning must be apprehended in faith. “And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Vv. 32-33)   Yet faith receives Him and His forgiveness regardless of how great or small our faith may be. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or of a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13)

B.         This Jesus is the Son of God. “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." {V.33}

1.         This is the great reality that exists prior to or even apart from faith. Even Jesus’ enemies had to recognize this.

2.         He has come to save not destroy. As the Son of God, He carried out the saving plan. His substitution worked because He is the Savior as St. Paul teaches, “God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting man’s sins against them. And He has committed to us this message of reconciliation.” {2 Corinthians 5:19}

3.         Those that have great faith are those who receive this great God in all His power and compassion.

4.         His Gospel word tells us about Him and brings Him to us. It engenders faith, just as this event strengthened the disciples’ faith.

The Lord is more than worthy of our trust. For a Christian to have faith in Him is like a child loving his parent.

________________

Words – 1,035

Passive Sentences – 3%

Readability – 75.8%

Reading Level – 5.8

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures). Copyright © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

Confirmation

Pentecost 10 - Proper 14

09 August 2020

Matthew 14:27

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Almighty and most merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

As Matthew tells the story of Jesus walking on the sea he uses a word that literally jumps off the page. He uses the word – Immediately.  Immediately Jesus compelled his disciples to enter the boat. He forced them to leave. And, as the story unfolds, immediately Jesus comforts them; reassuring his disciples that he is present that they do not need to fear.

It is easy to have faith when all goes well. Faith is seen like a lamp when night comes. The disciples had a night experience on the sea when their faith was challenged. We need a faith that will not fail in times of crises. A faith needed for troubled times.

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.”  (Vv.22-25)

Jesus sent His disciples away.  The disciples were “made” to go to sea. Jesus wanted and needed to be alone to pray about John’s recent murder by Herod.

The disciples are not stupid. In fact, they know a lot about the lake. They are experienced fishermen. They knew that storms brew at night.  They knew it is not safe to be in a boat in the middle of the night that far from shore. And yet, they obey.  They do as they are told. They follow Jesus’ command.  

In their obedience they ran into trouble, a storm at sea. There is a fundamental truth here.  We’re living in a broken world outside of Eden. We will get trouble, hardship, and crisis in this life. Jesus never promised all sunshine for his followers. Are you up for the challenge? Trouble will find you.  Hard times might come. But they last only for a season.  

There’s much movement in this story. The disciples are straining while Jesus is walking. The disciples are stressed under much pressure. Jesus comes to their rescue.  Jesus came to them walking on the seas. Although the danger was overpowering. Jesus brings calm.

The fourth watch came between three and six in the morning, the darkest time of the night. Jesus came to the storm-tossed disciples after they futilely struggle against the storm throughout the night. 

A person’s extremity is God’s opportunity to rescue. “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.”It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."  (Vv. 26-27) 

Yet Jesus comforted them by identifying Himself. The words of Jesus to Peter are pure promise: “It is I” Jesus is the great "I am." He is always present. Always near.  Never absent.  He is the ever-present Savior offering his gifts of forgiveness and life.

“Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said” (Vv.28-29)  Jesus granted Peter’s request with an enabling word. “Since it is you, command me to come to you.”  Notice who is taking charge in this conversation.  Jesus commands the disciples to enter the boat. He commands Peter to come. He rescues. He saves.

Without this promise of his presence, Jesus’ words to Peter would be cruel.  Why can Peter take courage?  Because Jesus is there with him. Even in the midst of a storm.

Here is a gracious reminder that we can still be in the boat with Jesus and only have a little faith.  Having lots of faith is not a requirement for journeying with Jesus. Rather a word of encouragement and hope. Jesus is present even in the midst of a storm.

Believing is receiving. Even when Jesus works a miracle its meaning can only be understood in faith. “And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Vv. 32-33)  

Yet faith receives Him and His forgiveness regardless of how great or small our faith may be. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or of a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13)

Jesus has come to save not destroy. As the Son of God, He carried out the saving plan. His substitution worked because He is the Savior as St. Paul teaches, “God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting man’s sins against them. And He has committed to us this message of reconciliation.” {2 Corinthians 5:19}

“Lord save me!” That was the cry of Peter. It is the cry of the voice of faith. May this be our cry. Whatever the situation Jesus is able to help. Fear came knocking at the door, Jesus answered, and fear went away! May that be your experience throughout your journey of faith and your walk with Jesus as He orders your days and directs your path.

Image: Backhuysen, Ludolf. Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, Tenn.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Backhuysen,_Ludolf__Christ_in_the_Storm_on_the_Sea_of_Galilee_-_1695.jpg

Pentecost 10 - Proper 14

Matthew 14:22-33

What the Savior thinks of Little Faith

“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”   How the words must have seared Peter’s conscience, as they do ours. It’s embarrassingly easy to identify with Peter for we are so often tossed about by our doubts and fears. This morning let’s consider that the Savior has to say concerning a little faith.

I.        It shouldn’t exist.

A.         Jesus takes care of His disciples. Consider the situation in our text for this morning. (Vv.22-29)

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. {Matthew 14:22-29}

1.      He sent His disciples away. They would not be tempted to join the crowd that wanted to make Him a bread king. “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd” (V. 22)

2.      He came to be them on the seas. Although the danger was overpowering. “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.”  (Vv.23-25)

3.      He comforted them by identifying Himself. “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.”It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."  (Vv. 26-27)

4.   He granted Peter’s request with an enabling word. “Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said” (Vv.28-29)

B.         But His disciples forgot all this. (v. 30)

“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

1.         Peter thought the wind and the waves were a bigger threat than Jesus was a help. We also face many forms of worldly forgetfulness.

a.       Some may half jokingly say, “I hope Judgment Day doesn’t come until after Friday night!”

b.   We may forget the Lord in our day-to-day concerns, relying instead on ourselves, our friends, our money, our cleverness, etc.

c.       In the church today there is a preoccupation with gimmicks. People then think it is only concerning with self-preservation.

2.         We believe Jesus – but only part way. And that’s worse of all. Peter was in no great danger until he got on the water and doubted.

Transition: Surrounded by doubt, fear, and little faith we must turn to Jesus our Rock and our Redeemer.

II.     Little faith willed with doubt and fear did not stop Jesus.

A.         He saves people of little faith. (V.31) “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

1.         He is motivated by grace. There is no question who is carrying for whom.

2.         He substituted for all – even those of little faith.

a.         He lived with constant confidence in God. (V. 23) “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.”

b.         He died facing the danger that results from little faith.

3.         Believing is receiving. Even when Jesus works a miracle its meaning must be apprehended in faith. “And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Vv. 32-33)   Yet faith receives Him and His forgiveness regardless of how great or small our faith may be. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or of a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13)

B.         This Jesus is the Son of God. “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." {V.33}

1.         This is the great reality that exists prior to or even apart from faith. Even Jesus’ enemies had to recognize this.

2.         He has come to save not destroy. As the Son of God, He carried out the saving plan. His substitution worked because He is the Savior as St. Paul teaches, “God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting man’s sins against them. And He has committed to us this message of reconciliation.” {2 Corinthians 5:19}

3.         Those that have great faith are those who receive this great God in all His power and compassion.

4.         His Gospel word tells us about Him and brings Him to us. It engenders faith, just as this event strengthened the disciples’ faith.

The Lord is more than worthy of our trust. For a Christian to have faith in Him is like a child loving his parent.

________________

Words – 1,035

Passive Sentences – 3%

Readability – 75.8%

Reading Level – 5.8

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures). Copyright © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

Time in the Word - Pentecost 10 - Proper 14

03-08 August 2020

Preparation for next week, Proper 14

Christ the Crucified Comes to Save Us by the Word of Faith

The Lord who “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4) is the Author and Giver of life who governs all things by His Word. His wisdom and power are beyond our understanding, except as He reveals Himself in the incarnate Word, Christ Jesus. He has “entered into the springs of the sea” and “walked in the recesses of the deep” (Job 38:16), and He draws near to us in mercy. We have been “a long way from the land, beaten by the waves,” and tossed about by hostile winds (Matthew 14:24). In our mortality and sinful unbelief, we do not always recognize the Lord Jesus. But as we cry out in fear, He speaks tenderly to us: “Do not be afraid,” and He reaches out His hand to save us (Matthew 14:27, 31). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13), and now we call upon Him in faith, because we have heard “through the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10:8).

Collect for Proper 14: Almighty and most merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord;

Prayer in time of spiritual doubt and affliction: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, You have given to all who believe exceedingly great and precious promises. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may without all doubt trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that our faith in Your sight may never be found wanting; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord;

Prayer for agriculture: Almighty God, You bless the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper the work of farmers and all those who labor to bring food to our table. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth in abundance and proclaim Your goodness with thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord;

Collect for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: Grant us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always, such things as are pleasing in Your sight that we, who without You cannot do anything that is good, may be You be enabled to live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy spirit, one God, now and forever.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” – Psalm 119:105 

Monday, 03 August 2020—Psalm 34:4–8; Antiphon, Psalm 34:1—1 Samuel 21:10–15 provides the background story to this psalm. David, the one chosen by God to be king, lost his faith in a moment of weakness when pursued by King Saul and his armies, and sought refuge with the Philistines, the enemy of Israel. David realized his mistake and the truth of what he declares in verse 8:Blessed is the man who takes refuge in the LORD! When we are tempted to look elsewhere than to the LORD for rescue, let us also remember this psalm of David, and then bless the LORD at all times.

Tuesday, 04 August 2020—Psalm 18:1–6—It is likely that King David wrote this psalm near the end of his life, as it is very similar to the psalm recorded in 2 Samuel 22, just before his last words. Here he recounts many of the terrible situation in which he found himself over the course of his life, and tells how the LORD delivered him. He says, In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. When we find ourselves in bad situations, we ought to remember that the LORD has already delivered us from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation, and that He stands ready to defend us throughout our lives.

Wednesday, 05 August 2020—Job 38:4–18—Job had questioned God, as to why He would let such great calamities befall him. In response, the Lord answers Job by recounting His creation of all things, His ongoing involvement and dominion over that creation. God is not subject to nature; nature is subject to God. We weak humans, created beings that we are, have no right to question our benevolent Creator, but simply to trust that what He does, he does for our benefit.

Thursday, 06 August 2020—Romans 10:5–17—How are we saved? By grace alone (sola gratia) by faith alone (sola fide).in the merits of Christ alone (solus Christus). This salvation extends to Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) alike. But how are we to receive such saving faith? By Scripture alone (sola scriptura).Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  That is why Paul quotes Isaiah: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! For the preaching of the Good News of the Gospel engenders saving faith.

Friday, 07 August 2020—Matthew 14:22–33—We can see ourselves in Peter. Jesus asks him to do the impossible, and Peter, full of bravado, believes he can. However, when he takes his eyes off of Jesus, he falters, and is at risk of perishing. Likewise, when we avert our eyes from Jesus, we lose faith and confidence, and put ourselves in spiritual jeopardy. When we cry out, Lord, save me, Jesus rescues us, lest we drown in our sin and unbelief and are lost forever.

Saturday, 08 August 2020—Sunday’s hymn of the day is Eternal Father, Strong to Save (LSB #717). The first stanza, from the original Navy Hymn, proclaims the supremacy of our heavenly Father over the sea. The next two stanzas declare the authority of the Son and the Holy Spirit over the land and the air, respectively. Finally, the fourth stanza affirms the sovereignty of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, over all our foes. Let us put our trust in God alone for protection from all our enemies, whether physical or spiritual.

Sources: 

Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on Worship

Artwork by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, © WELS

Luther’s Seal ©Ed Riojas Higher Things Higher Things

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House  

Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis