JPL 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s Daily Dose of the Word of God. It’s Friday, the 11th of September, but Sunday is coming! I’m Justin Paul Lawrence.
Today’s reading is from Matthew 8:24-27. As we begin our journey through the Bible this year, we hope that you will see the Big Picture of how God was and IS STILL at work for the good of his world.
JPL 0:29
Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
JPL 1:01
I’m a fan of big storms - seems a little unwise given some of the recent power outages in Northwest Indiana, but even as a kid out on the prairies, I loved looking west to the gathering clouds and contemplating the potential power of the rain coming. One of my favorite memories from Minnesota was the “Storm of the Century” when there was so much rain that boats floated right off their lifts on most of the lakes around us. But of course, as much as I like them snug in a dry house, I am really not a fan as someone who’s been in the middle of Lake Michigan in a small boat. When there’s suddenly 40 MPH winds and 12 foot waves. And we had good sails, a 2000 lb keel and a strong engine. Lots of terror, at least for a short time. So I have more than a little bit of sympathy for the disciples. They were in a boat only 27 feet long, with rocks in the hull to keep it stable, oars and a bad sail for propulsion, and a sleeping rabbi to boot. They were headed across the lake the long way to the region of Geresene - about 10 miles. This is not too far when everything’s going your way, maybe 2 hours, but when the wind is against you, it can take hours longer. And the longer you are out there, the more you are at mercy of the wind and waves. And Jesus is sleeping. Not too surprised given the crowds that had been around him in the previous few stories. And when the churn starts, he’s unconcerned. “Lord, Save us! We’re going to drown!” And he wakes up and asks one question “Why are you so afraid?” But it was not just the loss of time that the disciples were fearing. Because, though many were fishermen, the sea was not something that the ancient Israelites were fans of. It was the personification of chaos, disorder, swallowing boats and people up. And the winds were the same way - in the ancient near east each direction was the personification of a particular God - and could be for or against sailors as they went on their way. And much like he’d driven out spirits and healed the sick just before this boat trip, Jesus showed his dominion over the so-called gods of the water and the wind. As as his Kingdom is beginning to come in power, there is nothing in the chaos of the evil one’s scheming that Jesus' power isn’t able to defeat. That’s why Jesus can be at rest despite the furious storm. Why we can be at rest in the midst of chaos. Whatever storm’s happening, Jesus is aware. It might not seem like it, but there will be a calm coming.
JPL 3:28
Let's pray. Jesus, we know that you are not asleep. Still, we have winds and waves that sometimes make us afraid. Will you speak words of calm into our lives and hearts today? Amen.
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