August 9, 2020

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for August 9th: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Psalm 105:1-6,16-22, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33; Theme: In order to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat Matthew: Jesus just wants some time alone in order to pray and regroup. Finally he is able to get rid of the crowd. He and his disciples are alone in a boat, traveling to the other side of the river. A storm rises. They see Jesus is outside of the boat -communing with the water and the waves. Peter wants to try to, but of course fails. The disciples cant wait to tease him on his failure. Peter never learns to walk on water, but he does learn to stay focused on Jesus. It is an important lesson for many of us still in the boat. The boat is the church, it is intended to be our safe supportive place. Jesus provides a boat so that we will be together and safe. But a boat is not designed to stay still – its purpose is to take us to the other side to find more people to minister and to invite them into the boat. Romans: When we are convinced if something, it breaks our hearts that our friends are not as passionate about it. Paul was heartbroken that he could not get his Jewish brothers and sisters to understand the Christian faith. So he is trying to spell it out for them. He tells them that Jesus is not here to compete with Moses. He is here to fulfill the words of Moses for a new day. But he also explains that Moses is not enough. This verse has the famous confession that Jesus is Lord as the beginning of having a new faith. Jesus is the new Moses. Jesus is here to save both gentiles and Jews. Jesus loves us all the same, but we have to believe in the power of Jesus in order to have the faith of Jesus. Questions: When have you stepped out on faith and failed, what did you learn from the experience? How does the church support your faith? Who would you like to see become a faithful Christian? Do you accept others who do not believe the same as you, as fellow Christians.