Track 1: Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
The disciples of Jesus found themselves in a precarious position. They were in a boat, battered by the waves, far from the land, and the wind was against them. Then Jesus appeared to them:
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.” (Matthew 14:25-27)
In his excitement, Peter asked the unthinkable:
“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.” (Matthew 14:28-33)
Jesus had demonstrated his power and authority, even over natural laws and nature itself. He had miraculously walked on water. Perhaps what was more miraculous was that Peter also walked on water for a moment. Is that possible for all believers? It is if we believe in the promise of Jesus:
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, tbecause I am going to the Father. (John 14:12)
The same authority and power of Christ have been given to us when we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In this case, Peter momentarily took his eyes off Jesus because he became distracted by the storm raging around him. In our difficult circumstances and life storms, we must look beyond them to Jesus. The psalmist wrote:
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;
make known his deeds among the peoples.Sing to him, sing praises to him,
and speak of all his marvelous works.Glory in his holy Name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.Search for the Lord and his strength;
continually seek his face. (Psalm 105::1-4)
We face many storms in life. Sometimes we may feel that we are drowning. It may seem that we are our heads in difficulties. We see things through our natural eyes. We need to look through our spiritual eyes as well. Jesus is bigger than our circumstances. The psalmist wrote:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult, (Psalm 46:1-3)
We need not fear. The solutions will come if we keep our faith in Jesus. We may feel that we are sinking, but there is a solid foundation upon which we can stand. Jesus is that foundation. We just need to keep our eyes on him and not our circumstances.
When the storm is raging. We are going to hold onto Jesus’ hand. Then we will be able to walk on the water raging beneath us.
Track 2: Listening to God’s Voice
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
Elijah was a prophet, chosen by God to bring His messages to the people of Israel during a tumultuous time. However, after a great victory and powerful exhibition of God’s power against the prophets of Baal, Elijah was hunted by Queen Jezebel. Overwhelmed by fear and exhaustion, Elijah sought refuge in a cave, far away from the world’s chaos. There God spoke to him:
“Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” ()
In the solitude of the cave, Elijah found sanctuary and space to commune with God. Amidst the darkness, he discovered that God was not absent but was present in a still, small voice. This encounter is a powerful reminder that, even in our caves of fear, doubt, or despair, God’s presence is never far away.
We have our own doubts and fear. But we cannot remain in a cave. God has a ministry for each one of us. This ministry is beyond our capacity, but it is possible with God. We cannot accomplish it without his word in our hearts and minds. The psalmist wrote:
I will listen to what the Lord God is saying,
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land. (Psalm 85:8-9)
Moses spoke to Israel the word of God and the Apostle Paul paraphrased it:
“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. ()
God is near us and for us. We are saved by his word and how we proclaim it. We are not only saved for life eternal but we are also fortified in this life.
The story of Elijah teaches us several profound lessons. First, it shows us the importance of finding moments of solitude in our lives. Amid our busy schedules and noisy world, we must carve out time to retreat, reflect, and renew our spirits. Just as Elijah found solace in the cave, we too can find peace and clarity when we pause and quiet our souls.
We are not alone in our struggles. Just as God reached out to Elijah in that cave, He is reaching out to us in our own caves of despair. When we feel overwhelmed, we can find comfort and guidance by praying to Him and seeking His wisdom.
The story of Elijah teaches us that our most significant breakthroughs often come after our darkest moments. Elijah emerged from the cave with renewed purpose and determination, ready to face the challenges. Our own caves of struggle can be transformative, providing us with the strength and resilience to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger than before.
But none of this is possible without listening to God’s voice. He is speaking to us. Are we listening today?
Preaching the Lectionary 