The Character of Discipleship

Romans 10:5-15

Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that "the person who does these things will live by them." 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) "or 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

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); 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.

For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." 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. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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? 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!"

Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Last week we spoke about the character of God, or at least a glimpse of God’s character, since the character of God is as limitless as everything else about God. We talked about the generosity of God and the way it turns scarcity into abundance, when it is paired up with our trust.

Today’s passages allow us an opportunity to look at the character of the disciples, and through that lens, at the character of discipleship itself. And what better day to talk about the character of discipleship than this joyful day when we welcome new members into our congregation and install an elder onto our leadership team?

So let’s take a look into these passages and see what new thing God is giving us to see and understand.

Walking on water is not a new thing. Well, at least, it’s not anything you haven’t heard about before. This sounds kind of funny, doesn’t it? I’m guessing nobody knows anybody who walks on water, but it’s an almost common expression, especially when we are trying to describe someone really special.

·      “I didn’t get that job because they were basically looking for someone who could walk on water.”

·      “He wouldn’t be satisfied even if I could walk on water.”

and so on. It’s an analogy we use for being perfect, for being Jesus-like.  But the story here is less about Jesus walking on water and more about Peter deciding he wanted to try it.

This is the first of two important distinctions I’d like to make. Much has been written about Jesus inviting Peter and us to get out of the boat, walk on water, be courageous enough to try something we’ve never thought we could do before. But the way the story goes, it was Peter’s idea first.

Jesus had sent the disciples out in the boat at the end of that busy day, when they had fed the 5000 after a day of healing and teaching, with five loaves and two fishes. He himself went off to find that quiet he was seeking at the beginning of the day. And a storm blew in. For most of that long night the disciples fought to keep control of the boat as the storm raged. And in the early hours of the morning, Jesus came walking to them on the water. Scared them half to death. They all thought he was a ghost.  How glad they must have been to hear Jesus say – “Take heart. It is I” – or a more accurate translation is “I Am” (just as God spoke to Moses) – and “do not be afraid”. Familiar words.

But Peter decides he needs to test Jesus, to be sure it’s him. He uses words very similar to those of Satan when he tested Jesus in the wilderness. “If it is you”…..””command me to come to you on the water.” He assigns a miracle test of sorts to Jesus. And Jesus takes it – and says “come”. Not so much an invitation from Jesus to Peter, is it?

But Jesus says, “Come.”

And so Peter climbs out of the boat – and this is of his own doing – and begins to walk to Jesus. But then he realizes his context – the storm, the swirling sea, the rolling waves, and he looks down, looks away from Jesus, looks at the water, and he becomes afraid, and of course he begins to sink.

In terror he calls out for help, “Save me, Lord!”.

And Jesus reaches out and takes his hand.

And Jesus says – “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” They climb back in the boat, and only then does the storm cease. And the rest of them then worship him, saying “Truly you are the Son of God.”

There is much in this story to teach us about what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

First of all, we can see that as a disciple, we are part of a community. The disciples are together in that little boat, having been sent out by Jesus, and they are doing everything they can, all night long, to keep it upright in the midst of the storm. They acknowledge their fear together as Jesus comes walking up to them on the water and they do not know it is him, and they worship the Lord together as they see not only his power in calming the storm, but also his loving compassion as he guides Peter, first out of the boat, and then back in, to safety. They are part of a community.

Disciples are willing to call on God. Once Jesus has made himself known to them, Peter calls on God’s providence and grace. He lets Jesus know what he thinks he is ready to do, and waits for God’s call.

[It’s interesting to note that this is not the first time Peter does this sort of thing. Up on the mountain at the transfiguration, where Jesus and Moses and Elijah all stood together, shining like the sun, Peter pipes up and says, “Jesus, how about I build three booths for you and Moses and Elijah up on this mountain?” (That time God said no). ]

Peter is courageous to step out in faith if called. He is willing to make suggestions and see what Jesus thinks. And this time, Jesus says, Come.

What we often say at the start of our scripture readings is what’s happening here – Listen for the Word of God to you. Through our prayer and through our scripture readings, guided by the Holy Spirit, we listen for what God is calling us to do. And sometimes we suggest, and then we listen. This, too, is a characteristic of discipleship.

We are aware of our own fear. God knows, we do have fears. Many of them are legitimate or logical; some are not. But we are mortal beings, and we become afraid, even when we are doing the will of God. Sometimes especially when we are doing that.

Peter became afraid along the way – again, it was human nature for him to do so. He recognizes his fear for what it is, and he cries out for help from God.

“Lord, Save Me! “

and when he is afraid – when we are afraid, whenever we are afraid – Jesus reaches out a hand for us to hold onto. “Remember, I am with you always.”  Discipleship means knowing Jesus is always present, and knowing that it’s OK and normal to feel afraid, and that the best way of handling our fear is to acknowledge the presence of Christ who is with us always, and take hold of his hand.

So Peter takes Jesus’ hand, to overcome his fear, and he goes forward in the assurance of Jesus’ presence and protection. And Jesus says to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” We might see this as Jesus gently rebuking Peter for not having enough faith. But if we remember the parable Jesus told about faith as small as a mustard seed being sufficient to grow into a great tree, then we can also hear in Jesus’ words to Peter that even our tiny shreds of faith, little slivers or glimpses of trust that we sometimes feel, sometimes that’s all there is – but that’s enough. No need to doubt. It will be sufficient. God does not turn away from us because our faith is not seen as strong enough. Jesus extends a hand, even to those of us with little faith, and says, have no fear. Do not doubt. I am with you always. Remember. Disciples take their wee bits of faith, and take hold of Jesus’ hand, knowing that Jesus is leading and we are following. Trusting in this.

And finally, and perhaps most importantly, disciples go where Jesus leads. The disciples row out into the lake for the night when Jesus tells them to do so. Peter goes where Jesus is – out into the stormy waters, and back into the boat with the community.

When and where God sends us, as disciples, off we go. Paul writes to the churches in Rome, “The Word is on your lips and in your heart. But how will they know if they do not hear? And How will they hear if it is not proclaimed? And How will they proclaim if they are not sent?

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

We are all sent. Out of the church, out of the boat, acknowledging our fear, holding onto Jesus as we go where Jesus goes, where the need is great, walking out into the storm, trusting that Jesus holds our hand.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

Let us all serve as disciples, as those who are sent, praying for guidance, creating new ideas and listening for God’s call to try them, holding Jesus’ hand to keep going even when we are afraid, knowing our feet are beautiful, whether they get wet or dirty or tired, when they bring the good news to a world that so desperately needs it.