Living in the Spirit
August 8, 2020
Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’
Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
My hope, my prayer, is that I do not read something into scripture that is not there. That said, when I read the scripture above today, I could not help wondering if the “wind” translation used here is the same as the “wind” that can also be translated as breath or spirit. I am not a Greek scholar and thus am dependent on what I consider to be a good source, Strong’s Concordance. I was surprised in a totally different way when I read the following definition of the Greek word translated as wind in this scripture:
417 ánemos – properly, a gust of air (wind); (figuratively) something with gusting, storm-like force, like someone bent in a particular direction–applied to empty doctrines*
In my part of the world, the word “windy” can describe one who tells tall tales. Most of that is done with a sense of fun. Being blown around by empty doctrines is a much more severe situation. I feel blown about by empty doctrines every time I listen to the news or read the paper. My sense is that others think the same thing when they hear what is coming out of my mouth. We are all asking the question, how those others, how can they possibly believe something like they are supporting? We are all being tossed about by evil winds seeking to destroy our faith by bending us all in the particular direction of its empty doctrines.
Peter wanted some proof that the apparition he was seeing was indeed Jesus. He stepped out with great courage and walked a few steps but became aware of the mighty winds blowing about him and began to sink. Jesus caught him and saved him.
We do not need to get caught up in the whirlwind of evil that is storming through our world. We need to recognize it for its emptiness. In my experience, evil increases when it sees the threat of love overtaking it. We need to increase our love for one another to overcome evil.
Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’ John 16:30-33
Prayer: Lover of our souls, help us love one another as we plumb more deeply into understanding our differences and build on our common ground. Amen.
*https://biblehub.com/greek/417.htm
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.