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Matthew 14:22-32

BY GEORGE DEFORD

I have always been fascinated with being in and around water. From my early boyhood days of swimming in open water on Kent Island, Scout camp or swim teams in high school, I have enjoyed the experience of swimming.

It was not until serving as a young enlisted man aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier in the North Sea in late November 1961, that I witnessed the fury of the sea that tossed the vessel as if it were a cork. I was scared to death. My confidence of being secure in open water rapidly diminished.

After a number of days of being in heavy weather conditions, I was so very glad to be out of the terrible weather as were most of my shipmates. Even now as a certified open water diver, I have a very healthy respect for the open waters. I keep the appropriate equipment to keep me buoyant.

The account of Jesus' walking on water and Peter's response is unique to the Gospel of Matthew. Peter is a fisherman that is sometimes depicted as an impulsive opinionated braggadocio. He and the other disciples were sailing to the shores of Gennesaret when the seas and winds became contrary.

Jesus came walking toward the disciples, who thought they were seeing a ghost. He calmed their fears by identifying himself.

It was at this moment Peter challenged the Lord to prove his identity by commanding him to walk on the open water. Now Peter, I believe, did not have the advantage of studying surface tensions of liquids or the effects of winds and currents, nevertheless, he stepped out of the boat and began water walking to Jesus.

However, when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink. But he had enough faith to ask the Lord to save him. Jesus saved him from drowning and chided him from doubting: "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

The adverse weather conditions ceased and the disciples declared, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

The moment for Peter and the other disciples was an epiphany. The Lord of the created order was present and in charge of the forces of nature. He also demonstrated power over the evil forces that are symbolized by the wind and sea.

Peter is representative of many of us. We have faith and boast about our salvation while among the members of the community of faith. Yet, when the winds and seas of adversity come our way, we look for the Christ of faith in the midst of our trying circumstances.

With a glimpse, we start the movement toward him in spite of the negative conditions surrounding us. Sadly, because of momentary distractions, our focus shifts away from him to the prevailing circumstances. As a result, we begin to drown in the very miserable circumstances that Christ had empowered us to walk above in a buoyant faith.

But thanks be to God that we can call upon the name of the Lord and know that we will be saved.

Beloved, whatever adverse or distracting conditions come into your life, keep your focus upon Christ. There may be ongoing distractions, but the more focused you are on the Lord, the more buoyant your faith will be. You will be able to water walk because you have a buoyant faith and the appropriate equipment - the Word of God.

The Rev. George DeFord is a Guide for the Annapolis-Southern Region.