The winds howled. The waves roared. The sea was like a monster that had taken on a personality, and things did not look good. Almost everyone aboard was sure they were about to die.
And Jesus was sound asleep in the bottom of the boat. Asleep.
People die from storms. Remember this scene from A Perfect Storm?
Yes, the sea can be a vicious mistress.
And Jesus was asleep. Not worried at all.
Now here's the thing that struck me as I read the account from Mark's gospel tonight:
The others on the boat - his disciples - did not care at all for his attitude! Not. At. All.
You see, Jesus wasn't worried because he knew who was in charge. He was the one who had said, "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself," along with several other admonitions not to worry.
But his disciples came to him and cried, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
To them, his nonchalant attitude could mean only one thing - he didn't care. They were about to die, and the one in whom they had put their trust didn't care.
JESUS, HOW CAN YOU JUST LIE THERE? HOW CAN YOU BE SO UNFEELING? WE'RE DYING HERE!
It's not easy to conquer worrying. None of us can do it in our own power. But when we do, when we successfully take Paul's advice to not worry about anything but pray about everything, people can get the wrong idea.
"You're too calm about this. You obviously don't care whether we get this done or not. At least not as much as I do."
Ever said that? Ever thought that? Well, you're in good company - that's just what the disciples said. to Jesus, of all people. It's human nature. When we are afraid, stressed out, angry...we want everyone to share our concern. If they don't, well, they don't care.
___________________________
As most of you know, Jesus did indeed care. He got up, rebuked the wind, and the sea calmed down. His lack of worry was a sign that he knew God is in control.
I think there's a lesson in that for me. It's natural for me to be like the disciples. When the storms are blowing, when the pressure is on, when things are not going right, my flesh says to lash out. Blame others. Make sure everybody is as miserable as me. But instead, next time I'm going to try to take it to the only one who can do anything about it.
The Lord of creation has got this, and I'm taking it to him.
And Jesus was sound asleep in the bottom of the boat. Asleep.
People die from storms. Remember this scene from A Perfect Storm?
Yes, the sea can be a vicious mistress.
And Jesus was asleep. Not worried at all.
Now here's the thing that struck me as I read the account from Mark's gospel tonight:
The others on the boat - his disciples - did not care at all for his attitude! Not. At. All.
You see, Jesus wasn't worried because he knew who was in charge. He was the one who had said, "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself," along with several other admonitions not to worry.
But his disciples came to him and cried, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
To them, his nonchalant attitude could mean only one thing - he didn't care. They were about to die, and the one in whom they had put their trust didn't care.
JESUS, HOW CAN YOU JUST LIE THERE? HOW CAN YOU BE SO UNFEELING? WE'RE DYING HERE!
It's not easy to conquer worrying. None of us can do it in our own power. But when we do, when we successfully take Paul's advice to not worry about anything but pray about everything, people can get the wrong idea.
"You're too calm about this. You obviously don't care whether we get this done or not. At least not as much as I do."
Ever said that? Ever thought that? Well, you're in good company - that's just what the disciples said. to Jesus, of all people. It's human nature. When we are afraid, stressed out, angry...we want everyone to share our concern. If they don't, well, they don't care.
___________________________
As most of you know, Jesus did indeed care. He got up, rebuked the wind, and the sea calmed down. His lack of worry was a sign that he knew God is in control.
I think there's a lesson in that for me. It's natural for me to be like the disciples. When the storms are blowing, when the pressure is on, when things are not going right, my flesh says to lash out. Blame others. Make sure everybody is as miserable as me. But instead, next time I'm going to try to take it to the only one who can do anything about it.
The Lord of creation has got this, and I'm taking it to him.
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