88. Wednesday after Fourth Sunday after Epiphany.
Lord, let our soul wait upon thee. Amen.
Matthew 14, 24-33. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me! And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
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Our Jesus is now up in the mountain praying. He is at the right hand of God, and makes intercession for us with the Father. But he is among us, also, as he has been glorified and is omnipresent. He has said: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” When we are in trouble he knows all about it. While Israel was being vexed in Egypt, it seemed as if he took no thought of the matter; but at the proper time he says: “I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their crying by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.” For “we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4, 15). Still, we are often besieged with care and tossed with waves in the midst of the sea all night until the fourth, that is the last, watch; and when he comes we do not know him, but are frightened by the manner of his coming. This is the case with the church of God, and with the individual believer. It appears to us as if the word and the church of God must go down. Or you, yourself, are enveloped in such darkness and stormy weather that your eyes are dimmed with weeping, and you do not know the Lord, but are troubled and cry out in fear. — This episode with the disciples on the Sea of Gennesaret is very instructive and edifying. It surely seemed to them that he waited too long; but he came at the right time. They were afraid, but he said: “Be of good cheer; it is I.” Let us hear this. It is our Lord Jesus who is in the storm; it is he who walks on the troubled sea, and does not sink. Remember that the sea represents the great ocean of humanity, through which the ship of the church plows its way. If you do not know him; if his ways seem strange to you, then do you note that he says: “It is I.” — As the disciples had gone out onto the sea in obedience to the Lord’s command, they could not sink; but when Peter chose, of his own accord, to walk on the water, his faith fell short; and yet the Lord stretched forth his helping hand, because Peter cried to him. There is no difficulty in understanding what we are to learn from this. But make the application yourself!
Is not our Jesus in truth the Son of God? Is he not the Lord of glory? His wisdom and power are unsearchable, and likewise his lovingkindness. Neither the church nor you shall sink; but your faith shall increase, and you shall worship him, and joyfully confess: Lord Jesus; of a truth, thou art the Son of God.
Give us to this end the light and grace of thy Holy Spirit. Tell us when we are to go out onto the sea together with them that are thine; never, never alone; and give us courage, and save us, when the tempests blow. Increase our faith, reveal thy glory to us and through us. Rule the world, and bless our people. Amen.*
Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer!
Great Captain, now thine arm make bare;
Fight for us once again!
So shall thy saints and martyrs raise
A mighty chorus to thy praise,
World without end. Amen.
[TLH 263, LSB 666, ELH 375; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.