Aug. 7, 2005

Stepping Out

By Rev. Evelyn Vigil

Whenever I hear the story of Jesus walking on water and Peter trying to do the same, I question that glib interpretation that says Peter started to sink because "he took his eyes off of Jesus."

What does that mean?

We all know what it feels like to start a new venture with lots of confidence, to start out with the best of intentions and preparations, and a little bit into the venture to find our hopes start to sink and our fears start to soar.

It isn't enough in those days of being tossed hither and yon to keep our eyes on Jesus. Those are the days when we must cry out, "Lord, save me." Those are the words Peter shouted and Jesus immediately reached out to grab Peter's hand, walking beside him on the chaos of the sea to a place of safety in a boat tossed to and fro by the waves.

This isn't a story of a person who "took his eyes off of Jesus." It's a story of someone who tried to do what only God could do and realized his mistake quickly.

I am grateful to the Fred Craddock, the well-known preacher, for supplying this interpretation of the story. Craddock notes that in the ancient view of the world, the sea represented chaos, the home of the Leviathan, the great sea monsters, the part of God's creation that could be tamed only by God.

And so story of Jesus walking on water tells us something very important: Jesus walked on water, Jesus tamed the chaos, Jesus did what only God could do.

"When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out in fear."

Of course they were afraid. Mortals don't walk on water. Only God can tame the waves.

But Jesus keeps coming and tells them not to be afraid. "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid," he said.

"Do not be afraid."

I have read that Jesus tells us 365 times in the New Testament not to be afraid. That's once for each day of the year - at least. But still we fear, and we can learn from Peter what it is that makes us afraid.

Peter wants proof. "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."

Hmmm. What would you do?

Jesus said, "Come."

And so Peter starts out, takes a few steps and then notices the strong wind and becomes afraid. This is where most preachers will tell you that Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and that's why he sank. Not so. Peter sank because he isn't God. He noticed the wind and he grew afraid because, forgive the pun, he knew he soon would be in over his head.

"Lord, save me!" Peter cries, and Jesus "immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'" Not why did you doubt that you couldn't walk on water, but why did you doubt that I would not walk beside you?

When we call on Jesus, we will be held by the hand, we will make it through the storm, rough though it may be. To tell the truth, though, the fear of sinking doesn't always leave right away.

As you know, I work as a chaplain in the main jail of San Jose. It's the place were everyone who is arrested in Santa Clara County is booked into custody. The basement is where everyone meets: those being booked into custody, those getting released on their own recognizance, those getting classified for their floors and those coming from all parts of the jail to head to court.

It's a place where humanity's failures run into one great river of pain. It's a place where only God can bring true peace.

I received an inmate request form one day from a man who clearly had spent time in prison and was a bus ride away from another few years of incarceration.

He wanted me to pray with him that God set him free from all his charges.

"I can't pray that with you," I said.

"What? What do you mean?" he said, shocked that I refused.

"God doesn't work that way," I said. "God won't get you off just because you ask."

"God is all-powerful," this man told me. "God has control of everything."

"Really?" I asked. "Did God have control of you when you were out on the streets taking drugs and carrying on?"

"Well, no," the man conceded. But God surely must have control of everything else.

Do you think so? I asked. How many other folks are taking drugs, or drinking, or just plain hard of hearing when it comes to God's call? How do you know that everyone in the courtroom is attuned to what God wants done?

This man was in the same position as Peter. He wanted to walk into the courtroom, into a place of fear and uncertainty, on his own. He wanted magic, the manipulation of nature, rather than the calm that God's hand in ours can bring.

I think you're pretty confused and mixed-up, I said. And he nodded.

I won't pray that you get off, but I will be glad to pray with you that God's presence be close to you, that you are touched by God's love, and that you be given the wisdom and strength to get through what now faces you.

This is the essence of the 12-step programs that work so powerfully for folks who are willing to take the steps as they come. By letting God be God, addicts turn the chaos of their lives over to a loving God who will not disappoint them, a loving God who will transform the wreckage of their past into a triumph of faith in love in partnership with each other.

This is the faith as proclaimed by Paul in today's reading from the letter to the Romans: 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!"

How beautiful, indeed.

May it ever be so.

Amen.