Skip to main content

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
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blinded with Science

My beliefs are probably closest to evangelical Christian. (Try not to paint me as a wacko.)  So my kids have similar beliefs. They are working on it daily, just like we all should. Both of them went to a state college and are Science majors. I love their attitude of inclusion of others, never looking down on others because they believe differently. That attitude is a must for a major university. One of my daughters told a story of a class where a professor challenged the (200) students to prove him wrong on an issue of science vs religion. The class, including my daughter sat silent.  Kathrynthetwin I'm sure many left feeling defeated by their silence. I'm sure the professor felt all tingly superior that he dumbfounded the Christians. But there is a huge problem. Too many people think you can't believe in God and science. And furthermore, too many Christians try to make Christianity fit into current scientific thought. I believe there will always be knowledge b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ever Noticed....

I know this blog has become a ghost-town recently. So I thought I'd better dust off the cobwebs. I was watching TV. During a break I had to watch a local car lot commercial. I hate local car commercials. They are selling the #2 big purchase that most people make and they treat you like an idiot. Why would I want to buy anything from someone who is waving their arms around screaming at me. So, I turned the channel. It landed on a TV evangelist. I'll let you connect the dots. Peace.
4 comments
Read more

Watch Your Back

A few years ago, I designed a T-shirt for a children's ministry at a traditional church where I worked. Even though the idea wasn't original, the design was and I thought it was hilarious. It had the reference, Ephesians 6:10-20 , a cartoon of a gladiator and the caption, "Don't Fight Naked." Apparently the church was more conservative than I thought. I showed the design to a few people and immediately began receiving phone calls. Apparently the word "Naked" is offensive to some people. Who knew? The armor of God is a great visual. Everybody has visions of Russell Crowe fighting gladiators and becoming a Roman hero. I remember the scene where he gets new armor from his owner. It would help him in his fights ahead. Even if you are perfectly equipped with salvation, righteousness, truth, God's Word, faith, and a message there is still more to gain if you follow the analogy of a Roman Soldier. The Roman soldier had nothing to protect his back. OK, this ...
1 comment
Read more