Leap of Faith, Pentecost 10, August 13, 2017

Tenth Sunday of Pentecost (Year A)

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Over their cries of fear, Jesus calls to them, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear” (Matthew 14:27). Jesus reveals himself -- not simply as Jesus, their teacher, but as “I AM.” A more literal translation of this sentence would be, “Take heart, I am, do not be afraid.” This self-revelation is a disclosure of Jesus’ source of power. For Matthew’s Jewish Christian audience, Jesus’ words echo the divine name.

– Carla Works

Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.

Theme: Leap of Faith

Reflection: The waves were rocking the canoe on North Lake, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, on the U.S./Canadian border. Yesterday’s mirror-like stillness was gone, and the waves threatened to break over the craft. My friend Staci was in the bow in our long-awaited six-day trip, and the two of us were just trying to make some headway against the wind and waves.

We decided to stay closer to the shore, but not so close that we could be shoved against the rocks on the point. It was a fine line to stay on course.

“Just a little further and we’ll be around the point,” I said, as much to myself as Staci, as she encouraged Zip, her brown heeler mix, to stay down behind her. “It should be calmer there.” Inwardly, my prayers kept time with my pounding chest.

And as we navigated the bend and pushed out into the narrows, the water was calmer. It remained somewhat choppy, and the clouds did open up a time or two. But we were no longer seeing whitecaps as we paddled to the next portage and into the most beautiful day of passage on our trip.

In our lessons today, Ezekiel and Peter have divine encounters. An unlikely duo. One running in fear, one taking a leap of faith. Both seeing “Danger Ahead” signs and bypassing them. Winds and waves, fire and earthquake. The powers and persona of the Lord.

Ezekiel was panicked. He was the last prophet left to preach repentance to the Israelites, and he felt like God’s last believer. Lonely place. Frightened and defeated, he ran to the mountain of God, Horeb (Sinai), seeking to hide. But in words we’ve probably heard, there is no hiding place God won’t find us. “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah gave God the quick and dirty on his extended run for his life – 40 days. The Biblical code for “a very long time.” God sent him outside to see earthquake, wind and fire, the kind of power Ezekiel had on his side. When the acts of God passed into silence, God checked to see if Ezekiel had caught the lesson.

‘Fraid not.

Ezekiel gave a word-for-word repeat of his fears, and God saw Ezekiel had lost hope. So, he offered Elijah a succession plan in the form of Elisha, Jehu and Hazael. And then he told Elijah how wrong he was, that he was never alone. Thousands had not given in to idol worship and still worshiped God alone. About now, I imagine, Ezekiel may have realized the error of his ways.

But if Ezekiel jumped ship in fear, Peter jumped out of the ship in faith. Moments earlier, the disciples had debated whether the apparition of Jesus was a ghost. Jesus reassured them that he had completed his prayers and down time, and was just taking the shortest route between them – the water’s surface. The disciples had never seen Jesus – or anyone! – do that before. So impetuous Peter asked if he could join Jesus.

Probably knowing how this would go, Jesus told Peter to come right over. And Peter did fine for two, maybe three steps. (About as long as I stayed up my first time on ice or roller skates!) And as soon as “Lord, save me,” was out of Peter’s mouth, he was up against the side of the boat in his friend’s grip. I picture Jesus teasing Peter, not berating him, when he said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Almost as if Jesus was disappointed Peter didn’t stay up and walk with him longer. The other disciples hauled Peter back in, still coughing up water, and Jesus jumped in and sat down as the chaotic seas stilled.

The stunned disciples didn’t know what to appreciate more – Jesus, the gentled sea, or Peter back among them. Looking at the unruffled, dry tunic of their Rabbi, realization set in. “Son of God,” “Savior,” “Messiah,” “Anointed One” they cried, awe-filled looks remaining on their faces long after they stood on the shoreline.

(You always are welcome to respond with your thoughts and reflections in the comments section at the bottom of this post.) 

Faith App:  Where do you hear Jesus’ voice calling you out of the boat? Where are you playing it safe, unwilling to listen when Jesus says “Come!” Take the leap of faith, into the new challenge, trusting our Lord’s hand is beside you.

HYMN/SONG SUGGESTIONS

Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult, ELW 696

How Firm a Foundation, ELW 796

Eternal Father, Strong to Save, ELW 756

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me, ELW 755

Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me, ELW 767

Precious Lord, Take My Hand, ELW 773

My Life Flows on in Endless Song, ELW 763

He Comes to Us as One Unknown, ELW 737

Reach, Peter Furler

What Faith Can Do, Kutless

Voice of Truth, Casting Crowns

Walk on Water, Audio Adrenaline

Walk on the Water, Britt Nicole

Beyond Me, TobyMac

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), Hillsong United

Like the Angels, Brenton Brown

LESSONS

1 Kings 19:9-18 Despite threats against his life, Elijah remains faithful to the Lord.

Psalm 85:8-13 The Lord will protect those whose hearts remain steadfast.

Romans 10:5-15 If you believe and confess that Jesus is the Lord, everlasting life is yours.

Matthew 14:22-33 After Jesus walks on the water, the disciples confess Jesus as the Son of God.

Summary:  Faith and fear. They are not opposites, as some might imagine. Just like courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to take an action despite risks, faith is the ability to move forward despite fears and consequences. Faith is more than just words.

OPENING LITANY based on Psalm 85:8-13

L:  We’re waiting to hear the voice of the Lord,

C:  Words of assurance, and words that restore us.

L:  We’re keeping the faith through thick and thin –

C:  Our hearts on fire for the God of grace we trust.

L:  God will rescue us, revealing the sacred around us;

C:  The people of God will confess the name of the Lord.

L:  We’re waiting to see the goodness of the Lord,

C:  Justice and peace restoring the kingdom of God.

L:  God’s faithful people coming together in love –

C:  The Eternal One guiding them along the way.

L:  God will rescue us, revealing the sacred around us;

C:  The people of God will confess the name of the Lord.

CONFESSION

L:  Lord, you never abandon us, you always will hold us,

C:  When we feel like we’re the last person on your side,

L:  When no one will listen when we speak of your love;

C:  Walk beside us in encouragement and lead us forward.

L:  Lord, you send us out but you never leave our side,

C:  When we feel we’re not equipped to share your word,

L:  When we’re tongue-tied and silent about our faith;

C:  Fill us with your Spirit, so we can share your good news.

L:  Lord, you send us to care for a world filled with needs,

C:  When we’re drowning in the chaos of so much hurt,

L:  When we lose sight of you in the high waves of despair;

C:  Reach out your hand and assure us that you are near.

(Silent reflection)

L:  In our confession, we pray together,

C:  Most Merciful God … make our belief in you more than a creed or a membership card in the church. Send us to say the words someone needs to hear, to act to secure justice and peace, to create relationships and reconciliation with those who have been excluded, and to leave our comfort zones to go where you call us.

P:  Here is Good News: The same Lord is Lord of ALL and is generous to ALL who cry out. Take heart, God loves every leap of faith we take, whether it is greeting the newcomer in this worship space, providing food for hungry children, or sheltering the refugee. Look for our Lord’s hand reaching out when our fears are bigger than our faith. God is calling us to share the love we have been given, the forgiveness I proclaim that sets you free from your sin.

In the name of…

C:  Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

L:  We pray together, 

C:  Steadfast God, thank you for being close enough to reach us when we falter, and ready to rescue us when we cry for help. May we not only to know this, but also live like this is true, so we aren’t afraid to take steps in faith. Like Peter, may we be brave enough to ask, “Jesus, may we come where the water is rough and walk with you?” Amen.

COMMUNION BLESSING

L:  We pray together,

C:  We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the saving grace in this bread, your constant rescue in this cup. Walk with us, over the waves of chaos in our lives, leading us right into other strong winds of adversity, as we learn to trust you always are at hand when we take our eyes off you.  Amen.

SENDING

L:  Leave your hiding places,

C:  Leap out of your safe boat,

L:  Keep your eyes on the Lord,

C:  Who is bigger than our fears.

L:  Go now, beyond your comfort zone, to love and to serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God!

First Reading 1 Kings 19:9-18 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: The prophet Ezekiel is a wanted man, after executing hundreds of Queen Jezebel’s prophets of the idol Baal. He’s worked hard, but the people of Israel aren’t responding. Instead of calling out for God’s help, he makes a run for it.

⁹ At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”

¹¹ He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” ¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. ¹⁶ Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. ¹⁷ Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. ¹⁸ Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Second Reading Romans 10:5-15 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Paul continues to spell out the answers to points of disagreement for the church at Rome. A key question from the church, then and now, is “What must I do to ensure salvation?”

⁵ Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” ⁶ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say?

“The word is near you,
    on your lips and in your heart”

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. ¹¹ The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. ¹³ For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

¹⁴ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵ And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Gospel Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Jesus still hasn’t had any time to mourn his cousin John’s death. Having fed the 5,000-plus crowd in a miraculous way, he tells the disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee, known for its sudden storms.

²² Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

²⁸ Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”