The Tenth Sunday after Trinity

1 Kings 19.9–18 Romans 10.5–15 Matthew 14.22–33

In the military, surely it is the aim of everyone serving to hear and obey the orders given to them by their superior officers. This is all driven by the belief that their superior officers have knowledge and experience governing the task that they are asking the junior ratings to perform, experience gathered over time and service.

It will not necessarily involve taxing the physical or mental endurance of the troops, but more a case of them following orders through faith in the one who is delivering them.

Today we hear of a series of circumstances leading to a disciple being put to the test. Like all of us Jesus needed to find time to recharge, to refresh and more importantly to speak with God his Father. Here Jesus goes to a hillside familiar to him. Alone he prayer to God knowing that the time of his greatest moment is not too far away.

Not far from the lake he becomes aware of a storm brewing up. On the lake are his disciples and they are fearful of the coming storm. As it overtakes them they cry out. Jesus ends his time praying with God and makes his way to the lake. Seeing the fear in the disciples he makes his way to them by walking on the water.

Intending to calm their fears it instead prompted Peter to call out to Jesus that he might walk on the water himself to greet him. At first, following the command from Jesus all went well. But, when Peter realised what was happening, that he was also walking on water, his courage failed him and he began to sink. He felt weak and cried out in alarm and reached out to Jesus who reassuringly caught him and brought him safely back to the boat. Jesus was recognised as the Son of God.

There are times when we go through life and have that feeling that we might be alone. There may be people all about us. We may be in the middle of a crowd, but we are not communicating with them. We have no link, no bond. We are one with them yet not one of them. In the midst of all of this humanity we are just one, all alone. It is at these times that we are at our lowest ebb. We can sink no further into the loneliness of that shell around us.

We can be like Peter and raise our eyes to see Jesus. In a time of trouble Peter saw Jesus and saw him as the source of hope. In Jesus lay their salvation. Hemmed in by the milling crown around us it might seem almost impossible to pinpoint, to recognise a face known to us. But if we look we will see Jesus there reaching out to us. Whilst we are in the lowest point of our life, when we can sink no lower, in the deepest depths of despair, he gives us courage and leads us onwards raising us up from the abyss that we had found ourselves.

Placing our faith in Jesus and his love leads away from the path that we have strayed along. He will take us by the hand and bring us back to that path that has been laid out before us. He will take us away from the world of confusion, of terror, of wandering aimlessly, to that path of joy and freedom. Jesus is the way to our salvation. He will bring us out of danger to safety in his arms.

Peter saw Jesus walking on the water towards him. He recognised that in Jesus lay salvation. In reaching out to Jesus as his faith weakened, he was saved. The same is possible for us. Turn away from the bottle, or whatever else we seek to sustain us in our depths. Instead spend a few moments calling on Jesus for he is there at our side just waiting.

Calm settled on the boat as the wind and waves died down. So too will the storm fighting away in our heart and soul melt away as we become enfolded in the love of Jesus.

Collect for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity

Let your merciful ears, O Lord,

be open to the prayers of your humble servants;

and that they may obtain their petitions

make them to ask such things as shall please you;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.