“Faith Like Noah’s” – I Peter 3:8-22 – April 27, 2008

We humans have historically challenged every body of water on the planet. New nations would not have been discovered had it not been for explorers who circumnavigated the globe on ships. Numerous enemies have been defeated on the high seas. Cruise ships have become a popular mode of family entertainment. At the same time raging rivers, broken dams and levies, hurricanes, tsunamis and typhoons impose havoc on our lives. Water is our most precious resource and at the same time our greatest challenge.

Ironically, God used water to cleanse the earth of sin and at the same time God used that same water, in the form of a great flood, to deliver Noah and his family to a new land. Fortunately, God declared God would never again flood the earth. But in the time of Noah, humankind had become so corrupt and violent it was the only way to rid the world of sin. The Hebrew word in Genesis was shachat, which means “ruined” or “spoiled.” God had no choice but to rid the world that had been polluted by violence, arrogance and neglect.

Thankfully, God found one decent human being who was “blameless and righteous.” Noah “walked with God.” Noah was honest, peaceful and loving compared to a world that was violent, deceitful and filled with hate. Therefore, Noah stood out as a non-conformist, one who did not give in to the whims of society. Rather, Noah remained faithful and steadfast.

In First Peter, the church was experiencing persecution and they could easily succumb to a corrupt world. Here, the writer of First Peter was attempting to strengthen the church in times of distress. The atoning death of Jesus was upheld as well as the encouragement of mutual love. Non-retaliation was encouraged as was the endurance of suffering. “Watch what you say, do good and seek peace” were included in the message. The congregations were asked to stand fast in the face of opposition and not be intimidated.

The writer connected his message with the faithfulness of Noah. Just as Noah kept the faith alive by surviving the flood, the faithful in the days of First Peter would keep the faith alive through baptism. Baptism provided a special dispensation that enabled Christians to endure persecution. In other words the faithful could withstand persecution because of their relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship affirmed through their baptism.

Because of our baptism, we too have been cleansed, forgiven and redeemed, no longer living of the world but in it. We too are challenged to model our lives after the life of Noah. According to First Peter God wants us to do the following: (1) refrain from any kind of retaliation, (2) be willing to suffer for doing good, and (3) be patient.

I know a young family who bought an old home, updated it and made numerous repairs and improvements. They put in hundreds of hours of labor and spent thousands of dollars to make it a home. They sold the home because they couldn’t keep up with the mortgage payments. The new buyers had the home inspected and purchased the house outright. About a year later, the new home owner sued the former home owner for $2,000 because of a water leak in the roof.

In our society people sue each other as a way of retaliation. It seems to me people today are just as spoiled as people were in Noah’s day. Getting even does nothing to contribute to peace. Revenge only alienates people from one another. On the other hand, when we don’t retaliate we receive a blessing.

When Charles Spurgeon was a young preacher, he was warned about a certain woman with a reputation for being extremely quarrelsome. He was told that she intended to give him a good tongue-lashing the next time she saw him. Spurgeon said, “All right, but that’s a game two can play.” Shortly thereafter she met him and began to assault him with a flood of verbal abuse. He simply smiled back at her and said, “Oh Yes, thank you. I am quite well. Thank you for asking. I hope you are the same.” His remarks were followed by another tirade of know-it-all comments, this time voiced at a slightly higher volume. He responded again, smiling quietly, “Yes it does look rather as if it might rain, I think I had better be getting on.” “Bless this man!” the woman exclaimed. Then she said, “He’s as deaf as a post. What’s the use of storming at him?” Never again did she verbally assault Spurgeon. (from, God’s Devotional Book, Motivation, Honor Books)

One of the details that is left out of the story of Noah and the ark, is the fact that his family endured great suffering. Not only did they have to endure endless months at sea, caring and feeding for an entire boat load of animals, they also had to leave their homeland. Imagine the grief they experienced as the flood waters engulfed the lives and homes of their neighbors. Imagine the terror of seeing their homeland vanish from sight. Imagine the fear of watching the waters rise and then drifting aimlessly for months with no control of the ark and not knowing where they would end up.

The writer of First Peter said to the early church, “It is better to suffer for doing good, than to suffer for doing evil.” Noah suffered for doing good. Just as Christ suffered for our sins, we too must be willing to suffer. Many of the members of the surviving families of 9/11 have been a great inspiration to the rest of us. Their courage and long-suffering has made us stronger as a people. Recovering alcoholics are among the most effective counselors for people who struggle with drinking. Some cancer survivors have been tireless in their efforts as advocates for cancer research. Human suffering can either destroy us or strengthen us, depending on our faith and determination.

God found favor with Noah when he was five hundred years old. It wasn’t until Noah had raised his three sons that God told him to build the ark. When the flood waters came upon the earth, Noah was six hundred years old. It took Noah approximately eighty years to build the ark. I am sure his neighbors scoffed at the idea. He must have endured criticism and ridicule. Consider the patience it must have taken to complete the ark and then wait for the flood waters to subside.

The famous painter, Michelangelo, painted the “Last Judgment” which was considered to be one of the twelve master paintings of the ages. It took him eight years to complete the painting and it was the result of more than 2,000 sketches and renderings. Leonardo da Vinci worked on the “Last Supper” for ten years. He frequently worked so hard he often forgot to eat. Patiently, these two great painters contributed greatly to the sacred art of the church.

In the midst of their suffering the early church needed to have patience like Noah, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Their patience reminds us that there is indeed a much larger picture. There are times when we have to wait upon God.

The society we live in is not unlike the society of First Peter. We too live in a society that is spoiled rotten. Mutual love, not revenge is what God expects of us. When it comes to suffering we will do anything necessary to avoid it but God reassures us that through suffering we will be blessed. May we also “walk with God” as Noah did, being patient in all that we do.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio