When Jesus Says, “Come”

This Sunday's Gospel tells a familiar story. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples ahead by boat while he remains behind to pray. During the night, a storm rises on the Sea of Galilee, and the disciples struggle against the wind and waves. Then, in the darkness before dawn, they see Jesus walking toward them across the water.

The disciples are terrified. They think they are seeing a ghost.

But Jesus speaks words that still echo through the centuries: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."

Peter responds with an unexpected request. "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus answers with a single word: "Come."

There is something about Peter that I have always found comforting.

He is often remembered for sinking into the sea. But before that happened, he stepped out of the boat and began walking toward Jesus. It was not because Peter possessed extraordinary courage. The story makes it clear that he was frightened. His willingness to leave the boat came from trusting the One who called him.

That may be the heart of this Gospel.

It is easy to think that faith is about becoming fearless. But throughout Scripture, God rarely asks people to stop being afraid before taking the next step. Instead, God continually says, "Do not be afraid," and then invites them to follow. The courage comes not from our own strength, but from God's faithfulness.

Those words have been on my mind recently because they echo a prayer that is often offered throughout the Diocese of Iowa. Near its conclusion, we pray that God would "enliven our faith as we learn to take risks in following Jesus" and "bring us in joy to the day we step out of the boat and dance on the water."

It is a beautiful image. But it is also a challenging one.

We often imagine that faith means finding a place where everything feels secure. We prefer steady ground, predictable routines, and familiar ways of doing things. There is nothing inherently wrong with those things. Boats are, after all, made to carry people safely through uncertain waters.

But boats are not where Jesus met Peter.

Peter was invited into a deeper trust. His first step was not based on certainty that everything would go well. It was based on confidence that if Jesus called him, Jesus would also remain with him.

The same is true for us.

Following Jesus has never been about eliminating every risk before moving forward. It has always been about trusting that Christ is already present where he calls us to go.

That does not mean every new idea is from God, nor does it mean every risk is wise. Discernment remains one of the great gifts of the Church. We pray together, listen together, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit together. But there is also a danger in becoming so comfortable that we never respond when Jesus says, "Come."

Churches can become comfortable.

Individuals can become comfortable.

Even our faith can become comfortable.

The Gospel reminds us that Jesus is always calling us beyond comfort and into deeper relationship with God and with one another. Sometimes that means serving a neighbor we have never met. Sometimes it means extending forgiveness. Sometimes it means beginning a new ministry or finding a new way to share God's love with our community. Sometimes it simply means believing that God is not finished with us yet.

Peter did sink. That part of the story matters.

But it is not the end of the story.

Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. Peter's hope was never found in having perfect faith. His hope was found in the One who refused to let him go.

Perhaps that is why the diocesan prayer does not ask God to make us fearless. Instead, it asks God to enliven our faith so that we may take risks in following Jesus. It is a prayer that recognizes discipleship is not about proving our courage. It is about trusting the One who continues to call us, continues to reach for us, and continues to walk beside us.

May we have the faith to take the next step when Jesus says, "Come."

And may we discover that the One who calls us is always more faithful than our fears.

Kevin+