Jesus' authority over uncontrollable nature (Jesus with His disciples in the boat)
As I write this - to be posted next week when life goes back to yet another difficult "new "normal", New Zealand (especially the upper North Island) is still undergoing (hopefully the end) the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.
As I reflect and pray about the situation, my mind naturally goes to Bible passages such as the one where Jesus calms the storm. So I pulled out a sermon I preached (15 September 2019) on this passage.
Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 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?” 39 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. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 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?”
I preached on this passage as part of a long expository series on the gospel of Mark, not as a topical or pastoral sermon in response to a cyclone. I wondered if my approach and contents would be significantly different. The answer I found is NO.
Some of my sermon's basic points in summary (1st half only)
1. The passage is part of the many "impossible challenges" that Jesus faced and easily conquered.
2. It's about Jesus' identity and power as God incarnate. In Jewish understanding, the one who rules and controls the winds and seas is God. (See for example Psalm 107:28-32, and Jonah 1:15-16)
3. The focus of "the storms in our lives" may be important, but is secondary in significance.
4. The disciples' reaction is sadly too common today - accuse Jesus of not caring when we undergo difficulties
5. Jesus' response to His disciples' reaction is to command the wind and sea to be still. The irony and important point is that this demonstration of power creates in them an even more fearful reaction.
6. Jesus expected His disciples (and us too) to respond with faith and trust. Jesus is literally and metaphorically in the boat with us as it goes through the frightening storm
7. For me it seems to be a contradiction to believe that God loves us, and Jesus dies on the cross for our sins, rose again from the dead, and yet not be willing to trust Him when life gets difficult.
Ok, skipping the second half (lest it is a "long" sermon). Jumping now to (near) the end of my sermon ...
Remember
James 1:2–4 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when
you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of
your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its
full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
-----
In
the Gardiner Museum in Boston (before it was stolen in 1990) there was a
painting by Rembrandt entitled "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee."
It is Rembrandt's interpretation of this story
in Mark 4. It shows panic etched on the faces of the disciples, as their small
vessel is being raised up on a high wave, about to be crashed down. Two of the
disciples are attempting to rouse Jesus who is asleep in the stern of the boat.
But if you look more closely, you will discover that there is something that is
not quite right. There are too many people in the picture. So you count them.
There are fourteen. There should only be thirteen (twelve disciples and Jesus).
But instead there are fourteen. It is then that you notice that one of the men
in the boat is Rembrandt. He has painted himself into the picture. He has
placed himself in the same boat.
This is the way that Rembrandt wants us to apply this passage. And I think he is insightful and correct
We are in the boat with
Jesus, faithful but frightened. There is no immunity for any of us. One day we
will probably be in a difficult situation – afraid and wanting to run away –
from our problems or even God. And our faith will be tested
Storms will come and
some may be severe but that is the way life is.
Will you accuse God and say “You don’t care”?
Or will you apply your knowledge
of Scripture and experience in a deeper way the power and presence of God?
Check out the link below on for more information on this painting by Rembrandt
https://www.rembrandtpaintings.com/the-storm-on-the-sea-of-galilee.jsp
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