Belonging (S2) : WK 2 - WED
(Mark 4:35-41 NLT) As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." [36] So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). [37] But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. [38] Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" [39] When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. [40] Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" [41] The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
Today, we have another account of Jesus revealing that the disciples belonged to Him through the calming of another storm — another miracle. We’re going to break down this passage over the next few days, but for now, let's consider some of the significant elements of this narrative. It was evening again. Why do scary things seem to so often take place at night and in the dark? Jesus is the one who invites the disciples to get into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake. Another fierce storm suddenly arises, complete with waves so high that the boat is beginning to fill with water. We can only imagine what the disciples were thinking and feeling in this terrifying moment. A moment when, taking into account all of the given elements of the situation, your life is at risk because there is a good chance that if this keeps up, you are going to drown.
So, what is Jesus doing in this overwhelming and life-threatening situation? He is sleeping. Yep, that’s what the text says. Sleeping. So what does a disciple of Jesus do when you fear you are going to drown because the boat you are standing in is filling up with water from the overpowering storm you are losing a battle with? You do everything in your power to wake Jesus up! The text says they woke Jesus up by shouting at Him. Apparently, disciples of Jesus sometimes shout at Him when they are scared and aren’t sure He cares about them. Jesus wakes up to their shouts of accusation, questioning His care for them.
I love the phrase in this text that says, “Jesus woke up.” While I also love the powerful description that follows this phrase, which states that Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves, and how He spoke to them, and they immediately stopped and became calm, I appreciate the miracle of God's response to our fears of questioning our belonging to Him. As disciples of Jesus, we are still human beings who sometimes still question our belonging to God when things get scary. We do this from time to time, and I want to encourage us not to beat ourselves up over it or shame ourselves. Instead, extend grace and compassion to yourself in these moments and understand that God understands, and this is why He continues to perform miracles to remind us of our belonging.
Today, we have another account of Jesus revealing that the disciples belonged to Him through the calming of another storm — another miracle. We’re going to break down this passage over the next few days, but for now, let's consider some of the significant elements of this narrative. It was evening again. Why do scary things seem to so often take place at night and in the dark? Jesus is the one who invites the disciples to get into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake. Another fierce storm suddenly arises, complete with waves so high that the boat is beginning to fill with water. We can only imagine what the disciples were thinking and feeling in this terrifying moment. A moment when, taking into account all of the given elements of the situation, your life is at risk because there is a good chance that if this keeps up, you are going to drown.
So, what is Jesus doing in this overwhelming and life-threatening situation? He is sleeping. Yep, that’s what the text says. Sleeping. So what does a disciple of Jesus do when you fear you are going to drown because the boat you are standing in is filling up with water from the overpowering storm you are losing a battle with? You do everything in your power to wake Jesus up! The text says they woke Jesus up by shouting at Him. Apparently, disciples of Jesus sometimes shout at Him when they are scared and aren’t sure He cares about them. Jesus wakes up to their shouts of accusation, questioning His care for them.
I love the phrase in this text that says, “Jesus woke up.” While I also love the powerful description that follows this phrase, which states that Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves, and how He spoke to them, and they immediately stopped and became calm, I appreciate the miracle of God's response to our fears of questioning our belonging to Him. As disciples of Jesus, we are still human beings who sometimes still question our belonging to God when things get scary. We do this from time to time, and I want to encourage us not to beat ourselves up over it or shame ourselves. Instead, extend grace and compassion to yourself in these moments and understand that God understands, and this is why He continues to perform miracles to remind us of our belonging.
- Have you ever “shouted” at Jesus because you didn’t think He was caring enough to pay attention to you and the situation you were in? Maybe you would like to shout right now because of what you are going through. Go ahead. It’s ok. Disciples do this sometimes. He can take it.
- Is there a possible invitation from Jesus for you as you reflect on an experience of shouting, wanting to shout, or currently shouting at Jesus? If so, what do you sense He is offering you?
- How might you extend grace and compassion to yourself by accepting your belonging to Jesus?
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