A way to live a mission in your church’s life and its outreach:
When it is hard to take on the evil forces in this world, trust God to work through and with you to overcome the evil forces.
Based on Mark 4:35-41 (see retelling); a reading that comes from the Revised Common Lectionary for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, 6/24/18
After a day of teaching, Jesus wants to take the boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus and his disciples travel across the sea, a heavy wind storm comes up almost swamping the boat. Jesus is sleeping in spite of the storm in a comfortable place in the stern. The disciples awaken him and rebuke him for not realizing the storm may drown them all. Jesus gets up and rebukes the wind and the waves saying, “Peace! Be still!”
[An old myth of creation tells of God struggling with the forces of chaos and evil located in the waters of the sea. Jesus’ ability to control the wind and the waves is part of the divine power at work in him. Accordingly, his followers should be confident that he can rescue them in danger and tribulation.]
The disciples have mistaken Jesus’ sleep as indifference to their danger. When the wind and waves calm down, Jesus rebukes the disciples for not trusting in the power at work in him to save them. They “have no faith.” Seeing the calm, the disciples wonder just who is this Jesus to have such power. [They are slowly coming to faith that God is uniquely at work in Jesus.]
A theme: The power at work in Jesus is the same invincible power that brought the creation out of chaos.
