Disciples are not only called to do the works of Jesus but they are called to do even greater works. That seems like a wonderful thing but it just doesn’t feel like it fits us. It is a struggle for us as disciples to “put on Christ” and to meet our potential in the life of faith. There seems to be crazy expectations. Our struggles in faith can become storms of doubt. The disciples, after witnessing the feeding of the multitude, are facing a great sea of doubts. They are still living their faith by the numbers. There are 5000 people to feed, there is only 5 loaves and 2 fish, the numbers say to dismiss the people and send them away to feed themselves. The numbers tell us of our limitations. Jesus challenges the disciples to give the people something to eat themselves. This seems like an impossible expectation. Is discipleship about impossible expectations?
Clearly in our world today the expectations of discipleship seem to be impossible. We are fighting against a strong wind of change and uncertainty among people today. We are bombarded by statistics of how quickly we are failing and in danger of becoming irrelevant. We can’t even gather together as a community to celebrate and feed our faith. When Jesus comes again will there be any faith left on the earth? There are great storms brewing.
In the gospel, Jesus “makes” the disciples get into a boat without him and he sends them out onto the stormy seas. Jesus went up on the mountain (think heaven) by himself to pray for his disciples who are facing the storms of their doubts. When the storm is at its worst, Jesus comes to the disciples, walking on the sea. Jesus not only is able to beat the numbers and feed the vast crowd while gathering 12 baskets of leftovers, but he is able to rise above the stormy waters of doubt and change and walk calmly on the waters. Peter asks Jesus to allow him to do greater things and come to him on the water. Jesus of course says to him, “Come.” Peter steps out of the boat in faith and begins walking toward Jesus on the waters. Unfortunately, Peter begins to calculate the height of the waves and the strength of the winds and he quickly sinks into the sea. Jesus stretches out his hand and catches him before he goes under. So little faith, such persistent doubt.
Discipleship is not about calculations. We can’t be persistently counting the costs of discipleship and considering our limitations. We are always going to come up short. By the Father’s grace we are called to perfect our human nature by sharing in the divine nature and to do great things for God’s glory. When we think of Jesus as having special powers we put distance between ourselves and God. God sent Jesus into the world to remove that distance and to heal us from the pain, fear, woundedness and doubt that separate us from God. Jesus is truly “one like us” and we are meant to be more perfectly one like him.