Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, dear ones.

Just a few minutes ago the sun was shining beautiful. Now it’s a cloud-burst of rain.

Lots of things going on, so I’m pretty late getting this one launched. Thano’s truck is still out of commission, so I delivered him to his 2pm work shift at Safeway.

It may be a good day to be reminded of and sing that old Sunday School song—“With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm.”

Love, Dad/Ray.

You know the story. Jesus was sleeping in the boat during a violent squall. That fact in itself is amazing. If the storm was so serious to scare the starch out of these experienced boatmen, how do we explain Jesus even being able to sleep? I can’t imagine me sleeping in such circumstances. Talk about a sound sleeper! It says, “The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’” (v. 24).

Let me poke your thinking with a multiple-choice question: When Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” what did He mean?

• (A) “Why did you guys not exercise the power of faith for yourselves to miraculously calm the storm?”
• (B) “Why are you guys all freaked out and so short on faith and trust just because you have to face a little storm?”

You probably already know that I would choose answer B. And I could compile a large volume of material to support that choice—both Biblical and practical. The practical side is heavy with this reality: I have never beheld anyone to offer a convincing demonstration of miraculously changing every situation they meet to conform to their commands (“words of faith”)—without fail—as was demonstrated by Jesus. Personally, I’ll take a trusting faith (that makes requests of God) over a commanding faith (that presumes to conger up power by means of magic-like words of faith) any day.

Notice the response of the disciples—“In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” (v. 25). Afraid? You guys really don’t know yet Who He is?! After all this time you’ve spent with Him, what would it now take to convince you that Jesus is God? How much more evidence do you need? In what way is your fear any different than the fear of the “Gerasenes?”—“Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left” (v. 37). But if you and I can believe that we are living in harmonious relationship with Him, what more could we want? Why be afraid? After all, if “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” (Psalm 23:1)—or “…what more do I need?!” So even though I may face a violent squall—or even “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you (GOD) are with me” (Psalm 23:4).