(Audio)
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
Darkness, strong winds, and Jesus nowhere to be found. We've all been there. We've all been far from shore. We've all been afraid with nowhere to turn. In his providence Jesus could keep us from such trials. The disciples for their part had the expectation that Jesus would be there. We see in the line "Jesus had not yet come to them" that they were expecting him. It is precisely in waiting on him that they encountered this darkness. Why would Jesus allow that to happen?
He reappears after His retirement, teaching them what it is to be forsaken, and stirring them to greater love; His reappearance manifesting His power. (John Chrysostom)
Did it in fact stir them to greater love?
But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid."
They learned that it was not only when Jesus was obviously present that he was guarding them and keeping them safe but also in times of his apparent absence. Even when the winds and the waves are permitted they cannot overcome the souls of those whom the Good Shepherd protects.
Jesus was helping the disciples to get over the idea that they were the main protagonists of their story. He was showing them that they were now supporting cast in his story. They just experienced a theophany, a revelation of the divinity of Jesus. Is it any wonder they wanted to take him into their boat? Yet it wasn't meant to be about their boat. It wasn't done just so they could stay there and celebrate. It was ordered toward mission, toward their role in the story of Jesus.
They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore
to which they were heading.
Here is a lesson for us as well. We tend to want to dwell in the consolations rather than allowing the consolations to bear fruit. We almost begrudge coming quicker to the shore where there is work to be done. But his words give us courage on land in mission just as they do in the storm.
"It is I. Do not be afraid."
There is something about this strong sense of our individual role in the mission of Christ that we also see in the reading from Acts.
It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Let us not turn inward, away from mission. We aren't meant to setup camp on the Mount of Transfiguration. God will help our boats arrive where we need to be. He will use our specific gifting.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
It may seem like we're heading back out into another storm, but now we know that Jesus is the one whom even the wind and the seas obey. We are not afraid, LORD, send us.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
No comments:
Post a Comment