Mwanafunzi

I had the opportunity to preach at Mwerongai MCK (Methodist Church Kenya) on Sunday. Here are my notes from the sermon:

22 Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. 23 When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. 25 Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed. 27 Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” 28 Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” 29 And Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!" 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind settled down. 33 Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You must be God’s Son!”

                                                                                                                    ~Matthew 14:22-33

Peter is able to do what Jesus did. He is able to walk on water. What an amazing show of faith. He's doing it, he's actually walking on water. But then he notices the wind and the waves caused by the storm. He allows doubt and fear to creep in and he begins to sink. He doesn't keep his eyes (literally and figuratively) on Jesus and THAT'S when he begins to sink. Doubt and fear can be debilitating if we allow too much into our lives. e doubt as Peter did. We lose focus when doubts and fears come our way. It happens to all of us. 

When hearing the story of Peter walking on water we tend to focus on two things: 1) Peter walks on the water and 2) Peter fails when he walks he walks on water. But there's one other important aspect to focus on that makes Peter look WAY better. He's actually the only one present stepping out in faith before he begins to sink.

I learned a new word in Kenya: Mwanafunzi. Pronounced Mwa-nah (almost like Moana)-foon-zee. It's fun to say-you should try it. It means disciple. And Peter is the only Mwanafunzi that tries to do what Jesus did. Our spirituality is defined by our discipleship and Peter models that here. Now he went down in the water but while he was walking on the water in that moment he was not simply a fisherman, he WAS a disciple. 

How often might each of us not even try at being a disciple? Especially when it's tough.We shouldn't focus on Peter's failure but on the fact that Peter was stepping out in his faith. After Peter is rescued there's no mention of the disciples stepping out in faith and walking on the water. When Peter takes his eyes off Jesus, that is when he begins to sink. And Jesus admonishes Peter for his "weak faith" which I've often thought was harsh because at least he tried to walk on water. But the more I've thought about it the more I believe Jesus is showing Peter love here by telling Peter exactly what Peter needed to hear. Peter was bold but then lost sight of what was important. Yes, Jesus brings up Peter's lack of faith in this moment but the more important aspect in this moment is that Jesus rescues Peter IMMEDIATELY by lifting him up out of the rough waters. When the other disciples witness Peter being rescued they respond by worshipping Jesus and confessing that he truly is the son of God. And they had taken their eyes of Jesus as well by not taking a step out in faith.

There have been times when I have taken my eyes off Jesus and someone else, another Mwanafunzi, has lifted me up. For instance when I was struggling with doubt and self-criticism early on in the ordination process as a new pastor I got a simple message from someone I barely knew at the time telling me not to be discouraged because she wanted we around after she's gone. I hope she knows how much that meant to me (sidebar: she does now because I said it in this sermon in Kenya and she was there). And it's because of who she is as a person, as a disciple, that now she is a mentor and a mother figure in my life. 

And it's because of her that I leaped into uncharted waters and traveled here to Kenya six years ago and that I'm here again today for the fourth time. Coming to Kenya has truly helped me understand God fully on a deeper level and what it truly means to be a witness for Christ to the ends of the earth. You, the Kenyan people, truly know how to welcome us into your community and your church. On behalf of the entire team let me say that we are honored to be here and worship with you because my God do you know how to worship. You're praise of God, your singing, your dancing, and your heart and spirit led worship are truly awe inspiring.

It is clear in the scripture that Peter steps out in faith and we must do the same. When have you stepped out in faith for someone in their time of need? Even in the most troubled water we can be faithful to Christ. It won't always be easy but Christ is with you and will not abandon any one of you. When we step out as disciples-Christ is there to meet us.

It's important to remember what Peter forgot. He had doubts and took his eyes off Jesus. Throughout the storms in life if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus we will get them. Depend on other disciples to help you and help others.

Let's do what Jesus did. Jesus extended a hand to Peter so lets be like Jesus and extend a hand to others. And always remember that we love you simply because God loves you. As was mentioned in the children's Sunday School lesson this morning remember that we are made in God's image so let us love one another as God loves us. 

Bwana Asifewe

RevKev