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The Storm



With the pandemic sweeping across the world, America is in a position of seeing this wave of sickness and death heading towards us. The news is filled with stories of doom from other countries. Yet we are almost powerless to do anything about it.

In Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25 there is a story with a similar feeling.

Ludolf Backhuysen: Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee
The disciples had gotten into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Jesus found a spot in the boat and fell asleep. Many of the disciples had been professional fisherman. These guys knew what they were doing.

But as the ship had gotten underway, a storm was brewing. I can imagine the disciples, especially Peter, James, John and Andrew, jumping to action doing what sailors know to do. I've never been a sailor or even a decent fisherman, but I would have been pretty comfortable with these guys in charge. All the while, Jesus was sleeping like a baby.

But after a time, the storm got so severe that even the seasoned fisherman were terrified. The guys who knew all about boats had done all they could do and were at the end of their rope. I've felt that way lately. I'm usually a pretty level kinda guy.  I've always felt that everything will work out. But good grief, this pandemic feels like a waves crashing all around us.

The disciples outlook was pretty bleak. They ran to Jesus and woke him up,

"Teacher! Teacher! We are going to die!" 

 OK, I'm not there yet. I don't think I'm going to die. But I do see the waves. I see my wife and one of my daughters who are hospital RN's and I worry about what will happen next. I see my dad who is in a retirement home and the change of routine and banning visits from our family has taken a toll on his dementia. Then there's the news, the climbing infection rate, the climbing death rate, empty grocery stores, social media, waves, waves, waves..

Then Jesus got up. In the King James Version of Mark, Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves with the words, "Peace, be still." Instantly the wind ceased and the sea calmed. The disciples were amazed. They said to each other, "Even the wind and waves obey Him!"

Jesus asked them where their faith was. They had gotten so wrapped up in doing all they could do that they forgot they had the Master of the Universe in the boat with them. This is what I have to remember. Jesus is in the boat with me! He knows exactly what to do. The wind and the waves can knock the boat and us around. But Jesus controls the wind and the waves.

The story ends in the calm. Can you imagine the rest of the ride across the water? The peaceful gentile ride? The laughing and joking with each other about who was scared and how silly they looked?

There is calm ahead for us too. Jesus is in the boat. He is in control.

Peace.


Comments

Gayla said…
Good word...real good!
9:07 PM
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