Sometimes life is difficult and sometimes it feels as if we are asked to do the impossible. We often have our faith tested by the challenges of life. Even so, how would we react if Jesus asked us to walk on water? I don’t have a lot of experience with boating, but it seems impossible, and even a little odd. Why walk on water? The disciples are sitting in a perfectly good boat.

         You may have heard various forms of the joke about Jesus walking on the water. After he gets back in the boat he tells Peter, “The trick is to step on the rocks!” But why the trick? Why is Jesus performing this kind of miracle? Healings come from his compassion for those who are suffering. When Jesus seems to know what people are thinking, it shows how he understands us. What does walking on water show us?

         One of the attributes of divinity, especially in Jesus’ day, is power over nature. There are many psalms that describe God as riding on the clouds; that is, having power over the weather. This was often stated as a kind of comparison to the local Canaanite god who was supposed to rule the sky. Perhaps Jesus is showing his power over nature. He is showing the disciples that he is more than a nice guy and a wise teacher. The walking on water also evokes images of the past when the people of God found salvation by crossing over water – such as the Exodus from Egypt and their crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

         Jesus has gone up the mountain to pray. He has sent the disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee while he prays alone. A sudden storm comes up and the disciples are in danger and out of control. Jesus comes to them on the water and they are terrified. They fear that Jesus is dead and that they are seeing a ghost. Jesus tries to calm them, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

         Peter answers, “If it is you, ask me to come out and meet you.” Jesus commands him and Peter gets out of the boat. At first he walks toward Jesus, but as he sees the waves and feels the wind he starts to sink. Jesus pulls him up safely into the boat and says, ”You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” As I hear this, I understand Peter’s doubt very well. I am astonished the he got out of the boat in the first place. I am also still left wondering, why bother walking around on the water at all?

         We find ourselves in a different time and place. We are not in a physical boat, but our ship of faith, this church, is being buffeted by storms and difficulties. We’re trying to do what we have been commanded, but we don’t seem to be making headway. Perhaps we get a glimpse of Jesus, but he seems far off – ethereal – out of reach. If he would only give us clear direction – then we would follow him with conviction.

         Jesus is inviting us to do extraordinary things. We have been given life and the good news that can change the world. We take that first step and begin to step out of the boat – out of the safety of what we know. We look around and see the wind and waves. We see the troubles that beset us. We see that money is tight. We see that people no longer respect our faith. We fear failure. We fear being made fun of. We fear giving our resources because we might not have enough to survive. We begin to sink.

         There is no water and there is no boat. But the call of Jesus is real. Our fear of what will happen to us is real. We can take heart that even the closest disciples of Jesus had their share of fear. Our question is about how we overcome it.

         We don’t start with the storm. Jesus performs this extraordinary act by first taking time alone with God. We can only know what God wants from us if we take time to listen. We will be bringing our own list of concerns and needs before God. Eventually we need to set these aside and listen to what God wants from us.

         Another way that we prepare is by hearing what others have to say. The way that other people feel led by God helps to inform us how God leads our whole community. This is why I keep trying to have us pray out loud during the prayers of the people. I’m not looking for perfectly crafted prayers. I’d like to hear us share openly the things that are on our hearts. We have been too long an isolated and private people. If we cannot discuss our faith with each other, then who else will listen?

         We have to take that first step out of the boat. We are far too used to doing only what we know will work. The call of faith is into the unknown. The call of faith is to walk out onto the water without knowing what will support us. To grow in faith we must continually put ourselves in a place where we do not know the outcome, but must trust God instead. Maybe we need a little less of “going with what we know”, and a little more of, ”let’s try something new.”

         We may have to stretch ourselves to try things that are new to us. We may have to set aside time to meet together and talk about our faith so that we can support each other. We may have to give our time and money to support the work of the church. We may have to try new forms of outreach that put us side by side with strangers. I don’t know the answer. No one here knows the answer. It’s time we got out of the boat to look for it.

         I don’t know about walking on water, but I do know what it feels like to be in an uncertain time and place. No one knows if things will work out. Jesus reminds us to look at him and trust in him. He has already given everything for us. He has promised to stand by us. Our task is not to know all the answers but to trust without knowing the outcome. Jesus is with us. The storm around us will eventually cease. Jesus never promised us an easy journey. He only promised to be with us and see us to the end.

         Meanwhile, Jesus invites us to join him in his extraordinary work of re-creating the world. It’s time to step out of the boat.