Sunday, August 9, 2026
Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
I think a lot of us have been Peter in some way.
We have volunteered to manage the church capital campaign.
We have said yes to coaching the soccer team.
We have stepped into the C-suite to lead a great company.
Then the wind started blowing, the waves started crashing, and the rain started falling.
Then we could feel the water at our ankles, then our knees, and before we could correct course, we were chest-deep and looking for help before we went under.
The good news of the gospel is not that the campaign will be successful, the team will go undefeated, or you will beat earnings expectations.
The good news is that Jesus is present with you in your storm—and that storms do not get the final word. Not even the ultimate storm of death.
Jesus has already plunged his hand into the water and secured our eternity. So while the storms rage and pretend to be the ultimate power in our lives, we can know that in the end, Jesus is victorious.
It is hard to hold that perspective when you are soaking wet. I know. I still feel a little damp from some storms in my own life.
That is why the body of Christ, the church, is so important. Proximity to and engagement with God’s hands and feet—right here and right now—are critical for how we survive our darkest days. Peace is a place where you can find your people, discover support, and receive help in your season of need. As we head into another season of ministry, how might the Holy Spirit be encouraging you to connect with this community? Who can be your fellow “water-walkers”? And how might God be calling you to create a space of refuge that does not yet exist?
– Pr. Jason
God, thank you for my eternal future, secured through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Thank you for your presence with me now, often made visible through your Spirit-filled body at Peace Lutheran Church. Give me the courage to ask for help and the boldness to offer it. Amen.
