Morphemics

Staying in the Boat

Once again, it took awhile for Peter to catch on and, before the other disciples could say a word, he was speaking. The next thing anyone knew, he was no longer in the boat with them but was, instead, traipsing across the Sea of Galilee. We’ve heard the rest of the story. Peter sees the wind and begins to sink. And right here we have our first moral lesson: Peter sank because he took his eyes off of Jesus. He didn’t have the faith that it took to maintain his focus. The chronology would seem to bear this out. Upon sinking, Peter calls out, “Lord, save me” (Mt. 14:30, ESV). Jesus does, but not without the comment, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt. 14:31). Peter’s failing seems obvious.

We now have only to apply the lesson to our own situation. In whatever life adversity we may find ourselves, we must always keep our eyes centered on Christ. Never, for a moment, become overwhelmed by the circumstances. Of course, there are those who are quick to come to Peter’s defense. He was, after all, the only disciple to actually get out of the boat. Whatever his faltering upon seeing the wind, he was a shining example of the kind of faith that it takes to risk all and follow Jesus.

It’s actually a shame that this mode of interpretation enjoys such current popularity. Granted, it is about faith and, what’s more, a faith whose object is Christ. Yet, a more laborious faith was never conceived. And what of a Christ who is reduced to all the potency of, and confused with, a positive thought? We need to retrace our steps into what the text actually says. From the subsequent comments of Jesus, we know that Peter’s seeing the wind and beginning to sink constituted a lack of faith. Or do we?

Allow me to suggest an alternative. Peter’s doubt was manifest the moment he uttered the words, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (Mt. 14:28). Faith and doubt are inseparable from the Word. Peter didn’t believe what Jesus had just said, which was, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mt. 14:27). At first, it is difficult to see just what it is that Peter doubts. The translation obscures it for us. We must not assume that Jesus was merely saying, “Hey guys, it’s me.” Despite what they may have thought before Jesus began speaking, none of the disciples was worried that Peter was about to become the next victim of a mendacious ghost. Everyone knew fully well that it was Jesus. The doubt concerned the claim that Jesus had just made. Not, “It is I.” Rather, “I Am.”

Peter had known Jesus long enough to realize that he wouldn’t let him drown. There was perfect confidence in the man. However, when it came to the claim Jesus had just made, Peter wanted a sign. Jesus obliged him by opening his eyes to what was already there. Peter was a professional fisherman who well knew the temperament of the sea. Noticing the wind was not going to be all that disconcerting for him. No, it wasn’t just the wind that Peter found so suddenly terrifying. It was what the wind revealed.

Previous revelation, which, until now, Peter had disregarded, substantiated the message. When the LORD descended onto Mount Sinai to give the Law, “there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud… the whole mountain trembled greatly” (Ex. 19:16,18). Ezekiel begins an extended description of the glory of the LORD with the words, “As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually...” (Ez. 1:4). Asaph, in even more descriptive language, clarifies the connection:
When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen (Ps. 77:16-19).

He who had begun walking in unbelief was, in a moment, transported into a full vision of Divine Glory. Peter was standing in the direct path of, and, indeed, was being overwhelmed by, the Storm Theophany. And soon, just as he had once spoken to Job from the midst of the whirlwind, this same Lord would be speaking to another of his servants. The purpose would be the same: restoration born out of Covenant faithfulness. We cannot suppose that Jesus’ words were those of angry chastisement, even though Peter’s earlier statement of unbelief had to be addressed. When Peter saw the wind and began sinking, fear gave birth to faith and, crying out, “Lord, save me,” he embraced the object of his terror.

Matthew is not content to leave us with the story of a disciple’s personal encounter with God. He wants us to consider God’s redemptive encounter with his people. The evangelist is able to do this because he has noted Jesus in the role of another person of the Trinity. The Storm Theophany of the Old Testament is intricately woven together with other imagery; not only winds and waves, but fire and clouds. Consider the presence of the Lord among Israel in the pillar of fire by night or the cloud by day. Or, for that matter, watch the Shekinah Glory descending upon his dwelling place. All of the theophanies in this group depict the Holy Spirit.

But now the inspired author would have us focus on the person and work of the Son of God. He does this by means of an ingenious narrative twist- Peter is cast as the Christ figure and we are plunged along with him into the midst of a water ordeal. Old Testament types of baptism loom before us. We witness both the Flood and the Exodus crossing of the Red Sea. Christ takes on the sin of, and unites with, his people. He enters into the waters of judgment and is overcome by the divine wrath; but then, Resurrection. In images of the original creation, the Spirit of God, hovering over the face of the waters, reaches down and imparts new life.

Not a tame Jesus, one who caters to our every temporal need if only we can muster up the faith; neither Matthew nor the greater author of the text will abide such a presentation. Behold the God of the Storm, the Redeemer of his people, the Creator Spirit and, in the words of those disciples who remained in the boat, worship him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Mt.14:33).

Posted by kcourter at julho 22, 2003 2:00 AM