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Sunday 13 August 2017

"Trouble Waters"



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.       

                                             "Wade In The Water"

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