Did you know that meditation was practiced in the early
Christian Church?
Psalm 19: 14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of
my heart be acceptable in thy sight, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Or Psalm 49: 3
My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my
heart will give you understanding.
Are you aware that Jesus taught this by example? Look for it in the gospel reading you will
hear this morning. Matthew 14: 22-33
Psalm 105: Matthew 14: 22-33
The passages from Matthew this
morning introduces us to another miracle and continue on the themes we had from
last week’s message. Crowds the scripture tells us, came for the
nearby villages to be healed, fed and to hear Jesus’ words of hope. He demonstrates for us a mind that does not
think of people as them and us, winners and losers. Jesus doesn’t see people as insiders, and
outsiders because for Him, all are worthy of the bread of life, Jesus is the
bread of life and servant to all. This
brings up a very important question for those who claim to be followers. Has
the Church elevated itself in such a way that we look down upon some people
with righteous eyes? Jesus shows us by
example that we are not to seek out, or look down upon anyone. Our position is
to serve without question those who are on the margins of society, those who
are hungry, sick, and lonely, rejected, or feel unworthy. The
Church was meant to be a community of love that would offer sanctuary for all,
no conditions attached. Love you see
will make a way when there is no other way.
Today another miracle is in our
midst. Again I said in last week’s
message, we should not get distracted or become argumentative over the miracle
as fact, meaning, did it or did it not really happen. In doing so we might just miss what Jesus is trying
to show us, about our everyday walk with Him.
So then, let us take another look to see what this story has for us.
Many of us here today know when it
is time to quit whatever it is that we are doing to rest and recover for the
next day, right! Or do we? You have
heard the quote “rest in peace” it is often quoted at the grave side, well, did
you know it was not intended for the dead folks. Oh no, It
was meant for the living. Often I
have slept through the night only to wake feeling just as tired as when I
retired. Has that ever happen to
you? Why is it then? May I
suggest that I did not rest in peace, there was still just too much going
on in my head? Have you ever heard the
term monkey mind? Meaning a mind that is constantly on the move. I don’t
know about you but I’m plagued with it at times. Plan ordinary rest in general has its place
but resting in peace, is what we need to strive for. Many of us, when we are working or
celebrating for that matter, often don’t recognize when it time to quit. You could say this is when the body and the
mind are at their wits end. Others can often tell you quite quickly by your
behavior and your attitude.
I would also venture to say that for many of
us, a quiet place to rest in peace, reflect and meditate, to help our body and
mind to recover properly doesn’t happen often enough. Pent up fear, anxiety, frustrations, anger or
just over tiredness puts a great deal of stress on our health and sleep and so
we in the west hemisphere have been programed to turn to medication. We have been over conditioned by the media
and our culture to medicate rather than to meditate. Don’t get me wrong folks for medication is
often necessary and has it time and place in our lives, but mediation is just
as important because, it is soul
medicine. Did you hear that, soul
medicine and Jesus wants us not just to be physically healthy, but to also be
spiritual healthy? Medical
doctors, Phychologists and good religion today know the great benefits of mediation
and its effects on our physical, mental and spiritual health.
Jesus show us that we all should
recognize when our body is speaking to us, when it is time to stop, whatever we
are doing, be it work, play or just a bad habit and allow our bodies to rest in
peace, reflect and to recover. Now I
have to admit that this adjustment might hurt the world economy but Jesus is
not concerned about that. He show us by
example, His first concern is for His own spiritual well being always, so he
can be there for us when we call upon Him. Are
you aware that you cannot be for others something you are not for
yourself? If you allow yourself to become run down,
tired or angry that is all you can give to others in that moment. Looking for facts, this is one.
The passage today from Matthew
shows us Jesus knows He needs His space and He asks everyone to go home. He
even sends his friends off in a boat to the middle of the lake. After a hard day of work Jesus show us that
we should always return to a quiet place to rest in peace, meditate, and
reflect upon the day through pray.
Again daily meditation and prayer
are an essential part of following in Jesus’ way. This Spiritual practice is just as important
to the soul as physical activity is to the body. If you
don’t use it you will lose it folks, it’s that simple. The
more we practice it, the easier it develops into a good habit. The modern Christian tradition has often not
taught this spiritual practice well. In
fact more often than not when Christians leave worship on Sunday many do not
meditate or pray until the next Sunday. We just might learn something from our
Muslims brothers and sisters for I am told they are disciplined to offer prayer
5 times during the day.
Jesus after recovering from a hard
day’s work, goes right back to His # one priority which is, serving others. The miracle again becomes immaterial if we do
not see what the phenomenon points to. After
his time alone, Jesus goes to the rescue of those who are in distress out on
the lake. Peter is the first to call out
to Jesus and then illustrates for us in great detail what happens when we put God of Jesus to the test.
Peter put Jesus to test by saying: “if it is you Lord, order me to come out on the water with you.” “Come” answered Jesus. Can’t you just imagine the look on Peters
face, Oh, No! What did I say, what have I done now? Have you ever put God to the test? “If you do this for me God, I’ll never - - -
- again”. And if you have you probably
experienced what Peter did. Peter’s
faith and trust lasts only for a moment.
You have to admire Peter’s courage here, at least for that moment as steps
out onto the water, but fear and doubt rush in and he begins to sink. Peter’s moment of faith was short lived but it was enough for Jesus, as He doesn’t let him sink into the abyss, no, He reaches out to save Peter
once again. Peter’s faith was like the
mustard seed illustration in Matthew 17: 20 as small and short lived as it was,
it was enough for Jesus. He demonstrates, for Peter and for us, I will
always be there if you just call upon my name. When you are called out of your comfort zone
remember even if your fear and doubt returns, Jesus will be there for you too.
There should be no question here
that Jesus reaches out to those who call upon His name. He saves and saves and saves, over and over
again, those who call out to Him in fear, in sickness, in depression or when
rattled by disease, even though you have doubts. Even though your trust might only be momentarily.
After Jesus saves Peter from the abyss
the stormy waters are calmed not just for Peter but all who have ears to hear.
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