I have been thinking lately about fear, and in particular fear in the context of the Christian faith. I suppose what prompted this is a particular story in the gospel of Matthew chapter 14. (New International Version)
The gospel writer describes how Jesus has fed the five thousand and he makes the disciples get into a boat and to go ahead of him across the water while the crowd are dismissed. After dismissing the crowd Jesus goes up a mountainside to pray. Evening arrives and the boat the disciples are travelling in is buffeted by waves and is fighting against a prevailing wind. Matthew takes up the story.
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 is 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.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
The questions that come to mind from this story are as follows:
What does the story say about fear?
What does the story say about us/faith?
What does the story say about God/Jesus?
Over to you for comment
Shalom
Stephen
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2 comments:
Thanks trinity blogger. First thought: We always think of Peter as doubting, being afraid, yet he did get out of the boat. It was only after that that he discovered Jesus with him for real. We can all be faithful and doubt free while still in the boat; it takes courage to step over the side. This isn't a story about Peter's doubt but about his faith and Jesus presence in that faith. Let's hear it for Pete!
Thanks Julyan, interesting you say that this is a story about Peter's faith not doubt.
I asked the question what does the story say about fear and then what does it say about us and faith? I remember a former local Preacher telling me that worry is a sin. I wish I challenged this statement. What I read in the story is that the disciples were more than worried indeed they were fearful. I remember from my time beach fishing on many a windy night that the waves crashing on the shore seemed more disconcerting than during the day because I could not gauge how big they were. I just heard a continuous roaring noise, but couldn't really see anything.
I wonder if this story is not so much about feeling afraid but the response to a fearful situation.
I was watching a documentary where a buffalo was being attacked by lions. It was strange as the buffalo didn't try to escape. Even when the female lions gave up trying to bring the buffalo down the unfortunate animal just stood there. A male lion sauntered up seemingly at his leisure grabbed the prey and his weight put the buffalo on the floor and then that was the end. Fear can lead to inaction and an acceptance of the inevitable.
Jesus appears to the disciples during the fourth watch (the darkest hours of the night) I wonder if the words of Jesus "Take courage it is I do not be afraid" are to encourage the disciples to keep battling. Is Jesus asking for a positive response in the face of adversity. Does he desire to give the disciples renewed energy and hope.
Faith is not a magic formula that allows us to sail through life on continual calm waters, but my experience is that the presence of God (not always recognisable at first) and others who love us can help us battle through our own personal storms.
Shalom
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