"Eyes on Jesus" ** sermon for 11 Pentecost (8/9/26)**

 

Snakes.                         Spiders.

Speaking in public.

A scary movie.

            What makes you afraid?  What scares you the most?  I think the friends of Jesus can relate.  Today, they face their worst fears.  A huge storm on the Sea of Galilee.  And considering four of them are fishers, that is saying something.  The storm must be extraordinary to terrify four seasoned seafarers.

The Sea of Galilee sits in a bowl between two mountains.  Pop up storms are common.  The disciples struggle against the heavy winds.  Their boat is being tossed and turned by the tempest.  Amid the storm, they see a lone figure walking towards them.  Between the winds and the vision, Jesus’ friends are terrified.

            At first, Peter and the others think they are seeing a ghost.  They have no other rational explanation for what they are seeing.  No one can walk on water.  And they left Jesus behind on the shore praying.  As the figure gets closer, they realize that it is Jesus!  Jesus is doing the impossible; Jesus walking on water.

            Peter calls out and asks to be able to walk toward Jesus.  Brash, impulsive Peter.  Jesus calls Peter to Him and Peter, too, begins to walk on the water.  Peter finds Himself doing the impossible, the unthinkable.  Peter walks on the water without sinking like a stone.  He is able to walk on the water to meet Jesus.

Notice that, as long as Peter keeps his eyes on Jesus, Peter is fine.  He can walk on water!  But, when Peter’s gaze falters, when Peter starts to look at himself, Peter begins to sink.  That says something important about where our focus needs to be.  You and I need to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times and in all places.

There’s an old ref rain I remember from my days as a United Methodist.  The words are by Helen Lemmel: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."  Keeping our eyes on Jesus can bring clarity and peace of mind during life’s troubles and trials.

A study Bible I often use offers three helpful steps for you and for me when we find ourselves sinking and our faith wavering:

1)      “Let your fears go.  Being in a small boat during a stormy night would be frightening to anybody, but concentrating on their fear did the disciples no good.  Whatever your situation, thinking about the worst that could happen won’t help you.

2)      Help your faith grow.  Peter had the right idea- he took actual steps to trust Jesus.  Take a small step of faith.  Trust God to help you through your situation today.  Then ask [God] again tomorrow.

3)      Tell you doubts, “NO!”  The wind blew Peter’s trust right out from under him.  [Peter] began to doubt that Jesus could help him.  Your situation might get worse before it gets better, and a little voice of doubt may start to speak to you,  Don’t listen to your doubts.  Keep trusting Jesus.”

            Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy.  That following would mean a life of ease and peace.  Jesus DID promise to be with us, to come along side us, to be with us when our boat is being rocked by life’s storms.  Jesus comes to meet us amid life’s troubles and tempests.  We are never truly alone.

            Just as with the disciples, we may not immediately see Jesus.  We may even think we are seeing a ghost at first.  Perhaps Jesus comes to us in the form of a friend or kind neighbor.  Maybe Jesus comes to us in the form of a stranger or one in need.  Always, Jesus comes to us with the same promise:

“Lo, I am with you always,

to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b