THE CHURCH: Ark of Salvation

Piggy backing on a previous example of CHURCH, here’s another from the Gospel according to St Matthew:

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water”. So He said, “Come”. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God”.
Matthew 14:22-33

Remembering the classic definition of Christ’s mission — “Christ came to do two things: Establish a Church & destroy death” — Which do you see involved here?

ANSWER: The Church

The boat represents the Church, the disciples represent all Christians. The stormy sea is our life. We are in the Church (the boat) because Christ commands us to be there. Disciples are obedient. Christ comes to us in times of danger. Notice that Christ did not command Peter to come to him — rather he permitted the act. Peter was not acting out of obedience, but boldness. Peter became frightened, his faith was shaken. Why? Chiefly because he stepped out of the boat. Thus, our first lesson here is: Do not leave the safety of the boat (Church). Christ commands the Disciples to get into the boat! When we do find ourselves outside the ark of our salvation (boat/Church), we must, like Peter, cry out “Lord, save me!”. And He will. Christ not only commands us to enter the Church, He also has mercy upon us when we are disobedient — leading us back to the calm haven of our salvation the Church. It is in the confines of the Church that we [like Peter, and later Thomas] recognize Jesus as our Lord and God. It is in the Church that we, like the disciples in the boat, worship Him.

Series to be continued …

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