S - “On
that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the
other side." And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just
as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the
waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he
was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him,
"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and
rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind
ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so
afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and
said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea
obey him?"” Mark 4:35-41 ESV
O -
The real Jesus (not the religious one) always wants to cross the lake but never
check the weather. He will sail the twelve into many storms during their years
of following. Why will he do this? Is he just trying to prove his miracle
working capacities? Not so much. These capacities will consistently reoccur in
an ever increasing range of circumstances because he is working with his father.
His two questions identify the real issue as the Teacher is teaching. They were
afraid because all of their expert skills and capacities were unable to resolve
the life threatening dynamics they were caught in. Their question to Jesus
confirms this. His second question is the clincher. He's not teaching them to
have faith in miracles. He's teaching them to rely on his person; not their
skill sets, capacities, resources or knowledge. The real issue of faith is not
in what they face but in believing in one they're with. Jesus intentionally
relied on (believed in) his father every day and in every circumstance;
literally from daily bread to demons (cf. John 5:19). This is how he insists
his followers live as well. The work, according to Jesus, is not believing in
principles, promises or plans but in a person. And when anyone is with him and
doing this work, everything remains possible. (Cf. “Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be
doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of
God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."” John 6:28-29 ESV)
A - I was taught to believe principles, promises
and plans. Believing in Jesus was about getting into heaven. The real work
until then was the other "believing". Heaven doesn't want me to have
faith in principles or promises or plans … even though it has such. Heaven
wants me to believe, have confidence in and rely on a person. This person is
the good news, life, light, truth and the way. This is the real and only work
heaven wants me to do in each day and in every circumstance. The work of
intentionally relying on him. All other activities are to come only as a result
of this intentional reliance. The world (secular and religious) doesn't believe
(there's that word) this will work. Actually, it's their rendition of
"believing" that doesn't work; with centuries proving this tragic
point. Jesus' legacy on earth with his followers proves it does. Heaven's call
and invitation to the whole world hasn't changed, "Follow me." Since
the winds and sea obey him it seems more than reasonable that I do too. Each
day I'll accept the work of believing the person of Jesus and follow. It's
amazing what happens as I do. But of course the real Jesus is absolutely
amazing.
P -
Jesus,
Thank you for loving us all first and most
and for refusing to change your mind … even when I give you reasons. Thank you
for coming to earth to clarify the person and purposes of God. I accept your
work assignment and want to learn and live the ways of intentional reliance.
You lead and I'll follow.
I love you back,
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment