Trinity 10_2026

Readings:

• Romans 10.5-15
• Matthew 14.22-33

Sermon:

In the midst of one of the driest and hottest summers for decades many are drawn to water to cool off, to enjoy a wild swim or to find a shady, green spot to relax. And yet sadly there have been far too many news reports where their day has ended in tragedy. Water, often associated with life in the Bible, can also be very dangerous. That danger and tension are very clear in today’s Gospel of Jesus walking on the water.

Jesus, who had been preaching to crowds on the lakeside, sent his disciples out in a boat onto Lake Galilee. He then went off alone to pray as the crowds below him dispersed. Lake Galilee is surrounded by mountains and so Jesus would’ve had a good view of what was happening below.

It is a setting where storms often blow up quickly. Seemingly blue sky can suddenly be filled with clouds and wind and a life-threatening storm blows up out of nowhere. Exactly what happened to the disciples, whose boat was tossed and turned on the churned up waters the lake. Jesus had left them alone. As dawn breaks, after a sleepless and frightening night. But he was watching over them…..

I wonder how frightened they were when suddenly they see Jesus walking towards them in the early morning mist and realise that he’s actually not in a boat himself but walking on the water.

Jesus senses this, and says ‘do not be afraid’. Words often associated with seeing an angel or a messenger from God. But here God himself speaks to his beloved disciples.

So the tension is somewhat dissipated, as Christians hearers know what Jesus is capable of: confident he can still that storm.

And then, just like the crest of a wave, the tension rises again as Peter seeks Jesus’s command. He has seen Jesus walking on the water and he wants to do that too. Jesus invite Peter ‘Come’.

Initially all looks good and Peter is indeed walking on the water, but then he loses his focus. Distracted by the strong wind, the storm which is still around, he feels the fear. and so he sinks and he cries out to Jesus ‘Lord, save me!’.

Paul in Romans 10:13 reminds us ‘for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’. And indeed Peter is saved. Because Jesus immediately responds to Peter and reaches out his hand, catching him.

The wind ceases, and the response to this amazing event from the disciples in the boat is amazement and worship. They have caught a glimpse of who Jesus is – truly the son of God. The passage full of drama and tension comes to a peaceful conclusion.

Peter’s faith in his own ability to work miracles suddenly leaves him, but the Lord of all miracles does not. I’m reminded of that wonderful phrase,

Faith is reaching out your hand in the darkness and finding it held.

Peter reached out and found his hand held, and what is more the life-threatening storm quickly abates. Jesus is worshipped and named as Lord and the Son of God.

This Sunday, whatever the storms are that raging around and however shaken a person feels by life’s ups and downs. This passage brings confidence that same saving Lord is there for everyone. Waiting for their cry.

Questions:

• Have you ever felt like you are drowning in the many pressures of life, reached out in faith to find yourself caught – just as Jesus did for Peter?
• Can you think of a situation where you might be being called to be the one that reaches out in Christ’s name to help someone in need?