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ThirteenthSunday After Pentecost
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Gospel:
Matthew 14:22-43
Stepping Out of
the Boat
Highlighted
Verses: Matthew
14:22-43
Immediately
he made the disciples get
into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the
crowds.
23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the
mountain by
himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but
by
this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for
the wind
was against them. 25And early in the morning he came
walking toward
them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking
on the
sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out
in fear. 27But
immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not
be
afraid.” 28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command
me to
come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got
out of
the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But
when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to
sink,
he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached
out his
hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you
doubt?” 32When
they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the
boat
worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed
over, they came
to land at Gennesaret. 35After the people of
that place recognized
him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick
to him,
36and begged him that
they might touch even the fringe of his cloak;
and all who touched it were healed.
Have
you ever had to try something hard...maybe something you were a little
afraid to do at first?
For my seventh birthday I got a brand new bicycle that I wanted to ride
so badly. But I was also a little bit nervous. I'd never been on a
two-wheeler and I was afraid of falling off and getting hurt.
Luckily for me, my father was there to help. As I was learning he'd
walk alongside as I pedaled, holding on so that I wouldn't fall - and
then letting me go just a little bit at a time. When he really thought
I was ready he'd let go altogether.
Now the first few times he let go I got so nervous that I did start to
fall - but he was always there to catch me. And with just a little bit
of practice I could ride like a champ!
This week's gospel story tells us about one of Jesus' most famous
miracles. Jesus' disciples are on a boat on the sea and they're
starting to get a little nervous because the waves are getting higher
and higher. Just then they look out and see Jesus walking toward them
on top of the water!
They can hardly believe such an amazing thing - in fact they think
maybe it's a ghost! Jesus can see that they are afraid and tells them
not to worry. Peter wants to know for sure, so he asks Jesus to help
him to walk on the water too. (Would you be afraid to try? I think I
might.)
Peter steps out of the boat - and can you guess what happens? He begins
walking toward Jesus!
But - just like my first tries on the bike - when he sees that he's
really doing it he gets nervous and starts to sink! And just like my
dad was, Jesus is there to catch him.
Now we can't walk on water, can we? (It would be very dangerous to try,
wouldn't it?) But today's gospel lesson helps us to understand that
when we are asked to do hard things in our lives that God will be there
watching and supporting us. And that's a great thing to know.
Will you pray with me?
Dear God,
Sometimes we are asked to step out and take a chance. Thank you for
supporting as we face difficult times and try new things.
Amen.
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