Into the Storms of Life
We Orthodox like to take an incarnational perspective in our Christian faith and practice, much to the chagrin of Evangelical and Calvinist Protestants. Too bad for them. They accuse us of focusing too much on the incarnation, while they of course like to talk about blood. Well, we do take the incarnation more seriously than they do. That’s why we have icons, saints, sacraments, that’s why I cense you at every Liturgy. We are in the image and likeness of God. And when the Son of God became incarnate as one of us, we become, in our baptism, in the image and likeness of Christ. So I want to take an incarnational perspective to our Gospel reading today. Yes, it is a miracle story, a wonderful incident that can be enjoyed purely on its own. It gives us precious lessons about fear, faith, and trusting in Jesus. But as with most of the miracles of Christ, there are layers upon layers of meaning beneath the obvious facts. I want to explore one or two layers today.
Peter wants to walk on the water. The impetuous Peter doing what the impetuous Peter often did: speaking and acting rashly, without thinking. Just as when he offered to make tents on the mountain of transfiguration. Peter wants to walk on the water. Jesus says, “Come.” But in saying, “Come,” Jesus is not inviting Peter to an opportunity for Peter to show off….
The full sermon is available in the audio file below.
