Scripture: Mark 4:35-41(CEB)
35 Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36 They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along.
37 Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”
39 He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm. 40 Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?”
41 Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Contributed by Sue McCoy
Following a full day of teaching and caring for the people, Jesus got into the boat and ask to be taken across the sea. He must have been exhausted because he put his head on a pillow and went to sleep; or was he asleep?
At times, it may appear that God is not guiding us or our church through the storms of life. Can we overcome doubt, strife and disunion? Do we have enough faith to trust in our Lord? The disciples on that boat were encouraged during the storm because they had Jesus in their presence, but as the storm continued, they became so afraid, they awakened him to save them. “Jesus, is it nothing to you that we are going down?” When Christ arose, he spoke “Peace, be still.” When the winds ceased and there was a great calm, the disciples were amazed and terrified as they realized the power of their Lord.
When I was young and lived with my parents, I never doubted that they would feed me, get clothes for me and always have a warm bed for me to sleep in. I knew my parents would go to work each day, and my dad often had “side jobs” in the afternoons. I knew I had to go school on weekdays, and we would go to church on Sunday. When we got home from church, the house would smell like the pot roast my mom had put in the oven before we left for church. I trusted my parents to love and care for me. I was safe. Childlike innocence. What happens to us?
As I think of the great sacrifice God made for us, sending his son to die a painful death on the cross, I am always grief-stricken. He did that because he loves us, he cares for us and he wants us to be safe. As we read and relive Jesus’ journey to the cross, think about having the faith of a child! But as adults, we know there will be challenges, tragedies and torment in our lives that will require a greater trust and faith than we needed from our parents. We have a greater power to walk with us. We should talk to our Lord daily and keep in mind the amazement the disciples had when they realized the power that Jesus had.
We can have faith in our Lord. We know we need time with him daily. We know we need to share his love with others, and we know we are called to serve our church and our community for his glory. We know he will walk with us on every journey we encounter.
Prayer |
Gracious and heavenly God. During this time of Lent, we hope to renew our relationship with your son. I ask that you renew our faith in the sacrifice that you have made for us. Renew our faith in the resurrection and the glory of Easter morning. Renew our faith in the goodness and love of Jesus. Remind us daily that we are safe in the arms of Jesus! In Jesus Christ. Amen.
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