Mission Possible

As sometimes happens, this sermon took a turn I had not expected once I really got into it. Not a very big one, mind you, but I would up focusing on the gospel lesson instead of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. I do like, when I can, to tie the three lessons together, and these three seemed to be perfectly suited to that approach. Because all three of them illustrate the basic truth that Jesus astonished his disciples with back in the beginning “For man it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” [Mt 19:26] He said this in the context of the story about the rich young man who wanted to know what he had to do to inherit eternal life, and went away sorrowing when Jesus responded, “go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” [Mt 19:21] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” [Mt 19:23-25]

Now, this is not a sermon on materialism, or greed, or even on salvation. It is about acknowledging that many if not most of the things that Jesus asks us to do are impossible without God.

First, let’s take a look at Joseph. It’s a very long story, and we’ve only looked at the beginning. But if you read the entire thing - or if you’ve seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - you’ll notice that it is filled with impossibilities. First, how can God ask Joseph to forgive his brothers for what they did? They planned to kill him. It was only because big brother Reuben had a mild attack of conscience that they let him live. But being sold into slavery isn’t a whole lot better. There’s not much brotherly love in the Old Testament, starting with Cain and Abel. Obviously, Joseph is another victim of the inexplicable unfairness of life. Scratch Joseph, move on to the next candidate. But no! Not only does he rise to the top of Egypt’s political pyramid, at the end Joseph does forgive his brothers. And there’s more. Look at poor Jacob. He’s not only lost his favorite son, the ones he has left, except for baby Benjamin, are dirty rotten scoundrels. And yet - if you read to the end of the story - God restores Jacob’s son, stirs the hearts of the brothers to repentance, and saves the entire clan from starvation. Impossible? Not for God.

And then look at Paul. You may remember that he started his career as a top enforcer for the anti-Christian movement by holding the coats of the men who stoned the first martyr, Stephen, to death. Paul persecuted Christians from one end of Palestine to the other, all for the glory of God. Again, three impossible things happen. First, God knocks Paul off his horse and opens his eyes to the truth. Second, the Christians he had been persecuting forgive him. And third, Jesus commissions and equips him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Impossible? Not with God.

And to top off the trio, the gospel text for today presents us with yet another impossibility.

“Early in the morning [Jesus] 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.' Peter answered him, '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." [v. 25-29]

The thing that sets this story apart from the other two is that Peter blows it. That makes it really appropriate for us, because people mostly blow it. Living by faith isn’t easy. The good news is, Jesus doesn’t give up on us, as long as we don’t give up on him.

As long Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk on water. But did you notice when it was that he started to sink? It was when Peter saw how strong the wind was, and how high the waves were, he got scared. When he got scared, he began to doubt. And when he began to doubt, he began to sink. But Jesus was right there. Jesus is always right there. That’s lesson number one. No matter how deep you may have sunk into your problems, Jesus is able to rescue you out of them All you have to do is what Peter did. Peter said, “Lord, save me!” [v. 30] And you know what happened? Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” [v. 31]