Sunday June 21st, 2015 4th Sunday after Pentecost Mark 4:35-41
"Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" (verse 40)
Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid?” That is easy to answer, because sometimes in life we are tossed about like that boat. Sometimes it seems as if God doesn’t care that we are perishing.
What are we afraid of? The list is long: isolation, pain, illness, rejection, job loss, failure, money problems, inadequacy, meaninglessness, death and separation from those we love. Every single one of us, at points in our lives, is tossed about and can be found afraid! Is Jesus equating fear with lack of faith?
We are going to encounter things that fill us with fear. It is inevitable. Take notice of the contrast between the faith of Jesus and the fear of the disciples. The faith of Jesus gives him great peace. It is a reminder that the fearsome things we encounter do not have the last word. They really carry no ultimate power over us. This story encourages us, in our times of trouble, to turn to the Lord of wind and wave-to call out to Jesus and ask him to care for us, to demand that he shelter us and get us back to shore.
God amid the storms, in times of fear give us just enough faith to turn to you. Amen. — SWH
Contributed by God of Wind and Wave
Jesus asks, "Why are you afraid?" That is easy to answer, because sometimes in life we are tossed about like that boat. Sometimes it seems as if God doesn't care that we are perishing.
What are we afraid of? The list is long: isolation, pain, illness, rejection, job loss, failure, money problems, inadequacy, meaninglessness, death and separation from those we love. Every single one of us, at points in our lives, is tossed about and can be found afraid! Is Jesus equating fear with lack of faith?
We are going to encounter things that fill us with fear. It is inevitable. Take notice of the contrast between the faith of Jesus and the fear of the disciples. The faith of Jesus gives him great peace. It is a reminder that the fearsome things we encounter do not have the last word. They really carry no ultimate power over us. This story encourages us, in our times of trouble, to turn to the Lord of wind and wave-to call out to Jesus and ask him to care for us, to demand that he shelter us and get us back to shore.