Saturday, September 14, 2019
SMOOTH SAILING NOT GUARANTEED!
Mark 4:35-36
35 And the same day, when the even
was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the
multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were
also with him other little ships.
Even with Jesus in the ship, smooth sailing is not guaranteed. Mark describes the storm
calmly but I’m sure it was horrific. Their ship was full of water and,
amazingly, Jesus slept through it all. Not until he was awakened
did He act. It is worthy of a few moments just to think about this.
Some very frightening things may toss us but it is not the end! Because we can’t know
what God knows, His calm in our storm seems unreasonable and even unfair.
“Carest thou not that we parish?” bursts from our mouth! In terror we question
His authority, His love, and even His deity. Faith returned only when fear was
soothed. This was Jesus’ first rebuke. His second rebuke was aimed at the
storm.
The rebuke
of our faithlessness stings like the salt spray in our faces. Something akin to
anger wells up and we resent the calm of the Master. We need it – but we resent
it nonetheless.
Mark mentions something
that we should consider. There were also other little ships. We
are not the only one passing through the foam. Others are fearfully struggling
as well. Our passenger list includes Jesus. What happens to us affects others
as well. Be careful how you respond to the terrors of life. Others know that
Jesus is in the boat with you and will be watching the outcome.
Ps 4:8
8 I will both lay me down in peace,
and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Dear Lord, many of our storms are
not seen by others. Our exterior seems calm and our face wears a painted smile,
but inside is terror and doubt. We press on behind your calm authority in
soldierly order but inside we are frightened children. Calm us Lord! Rebuke us
if necessary – but calm the storm for us. AMEN
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