It's a Ghost! | Matthew 14:22-33 with Dr. Chris Croghan

The miracle of Jesus walking on the water—Kiri and Mason welcome Dr. Chris Croghan back to the podcast to discuss this well-known text and call out the subtle details between the action that preaches the gospel. When Mason reads the passage, listen closely to these three parts of the passage: first, when the disciples are terrified and think they're seeing a ghost, Jesus responds, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Dr. Croghan teaches us this is the preached God giving us His very name—mercy—and that mercy instantly removes fear. Second, Peter's response, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." We discuss how the answer you'd expect is, "please stop the storm so we don't die!" Instead, Peter responses in complete faith. Third, when Jesus and Peter get into the boat and the wind ceases, the disciples say, "Truly you are the Son of God." Dr. Croghan explains how we are just like Peter: you're going to experience life's trials and feel that God isn't for you. Jesus forces us to experience our cross, our death, in order to cry out for mercy. But when we do so, Jesus is there, immediately. INTERACTIVE COURSESAre you looking to deepen your understanding of the Christian faith or of a particular tenet of Lutheranism? Luther House of Study has a suite of free interactive courses available! Visit lutherhouseofstudy.org to see their available courses, create an account to track your progress, and dive deeper into your learning. GOSPELMatthew 14:22-33 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." 28 Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (NRSV)Support the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate