Skip to main content

Jesus, Our Hope in Troubled Waters

When evening came, Jesus was there alone, 
but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, 
was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 
And early in the morning Jesus
came walking toward them on the sea.
(From Mt 14:22-33) 

Chesuncook Lake, the third-largest lake in Maine, is approximately 22 miles long, 1–4 miles wide, and about 150 feet deep.

As Scoutmaster, I was leading older scouts on a canoe trip on Chesuncook because it qualified as High Adventure 50-mile trip.

On the second day, the wind became strong threatening to swamp the canoe in the widest, deepest part of the lake.

The solution to staying afloat was having the scout in the bow, paddle hard and using a cross-bow stroke. 

The unmotivated scout just didn't feel like it.

Until God sent the wind catching the canoe, turning it sideways, broadsiding the canoe with a wave drenching us in cold water.

Suddenly, the Holy Spirit inspired the scout to "feel like it".

There's a deeper story in the Gospel if we look at Jesus' action rather than Peter's faith.

'Early in the morning, between 3- 6 a.m.' a storm arises battering their boat with waves.

They're terrified!

The horrified disciples imagine a ghost coming toward them on the sea, considered the place of evil and chaos.

Old Testament salvation stories, such as Exodus, are about God's former saving acts while this story concerns God's future saving acts through Jesus.

So, Jesus walking on the sea indicates God has given Jesus authority over the created order, including chaos and evil.

Jesus immediately meets them at the boat saying, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

"It is I" is better translated from the Greek, as "I Am" God's word to Moses.

Jesus is saying, "Take heart, it is the Son of God; do not be afraid.

The hope in the disciple's stormy crisis is Jesus, the Son of God, is coming.

The hope in our troubled waters, in our chaos, is Jesus saying, "the Son of God, is coming! Do not be afraid!!!

Take heart, Jesus, the Son of God is coming!!! Do not be afraid!!!

Think about it: How did Jesus come to you in a time of crisis? 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Every Christian's Journey

"When he was at the table with them,  he took bread, blessed and broke it,  and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened,  and they recognized him." Luke 24:31,32a To me there there all kinds of road trips. They all have similarities such as destinations and travel experiences. Years ago Elaine and I took a camping trip out West. We drove Utah's Route 12 between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks. This part of the road trip meant enjoying God's beautiful creation. One of the experiences we still laugh about was the constant daily lunch menu of PB&J sandwiches. Luke's major theme is traveling the Way. In the gospel, Jesus travel TO Jerusalem. In Luke's Acts, the disciples travel FROM Jerusalem proclaiming the Word Empowered by the Spirit. On the Emmaus road trip from Jerusalem, two disciples, probably Cleopas and his wife, experience a stranger's presence. The stranger reveals himself as Jesus by explaining what was said about him in the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Traveling by Faith

 Now faith is the assurance  of things hoped for,  the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 No, I'm not still stuck on I-81 hoping to be on my way as soon as possible. A tow truck big enough to haul a tractor-trailer rushed past on the shoulder followed by a VDot pick-up. I had faith that somehow the road would be cleared or traffic detoured around the crash. Slowly, we came to an off ramp, were directed up it, across a main street and down a ramp onto I-81. We we on the road again. This, of course, is a shallow understanding of Hebrews 11:1.  For me, hope is in found in God's Word as I look at what is, could be, and should be as I head toward the "Highway of Holiness" to be among the righteous who walk on it. The author of Hebrews describes faith as assurance and conviction. Faith is trusting God. For example: By faith Abraham, was called to go somewhere to receive his inheritance. He obeyed and went, not knowing the destination. Faith is walking with ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hope in Unexpected Twists and Turns

Hawk's Nest Overview "  Now on that same day  two of disciples were going to a  village called Emmaus,  about seven miles [  from Jerusalem,  and talking with each other  about all these things that had h9appened."  (from   Luke 24:13-35 ) The Hawk’s Nest is a scenic, cliff-hanging stretch of NY State Route 97 offering dramatic views of the Delaware River.   Originally a one-lane dirt road built in 1859, it is known for bald eagle sighting, scenic overlook, and its twists and turns.   "Just as the Hawk’s Nest Road winds unpredictably, so too do our days.   For example, one day started off unpredictably, with the electrician arriving at 7:30, followed by the plumber at 8:30, and then a sincere thank you note delivered in person at 9.   "Our current polarized society creates complex, unexpected twists and turns that are difficult to navigate." The Emmaus Road story is one of hope in times of twists and tu...
Post a Comment
Read more