31 Days: Sleeping in the storm

Matthew 8:23-27

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

In the Mark (4:37-38) account of this event we find that “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.”

Jesus is a man who knows how to rest! He takes the opportunity that presents itself – a cushion in the back of a boat. It doesn’t sound all that comfortable at the best of times. So how is it that Jesus could sleep in a sinking boat in the middle of a violent storm? I find this hard to get my head around, but I also find myself concluding that although probably very tired at the end of the day, Jesus was also a man fully at peace, trusting and resting in the Father.

The disciples who were experienced fishermen had no doubt faced storms before, but this one must have been extremely bad to frighten them so much. When they woke Jesus, shouting at him to save them from drowning, they must have expected that he could in fact save them! It’s unclear how, because they certainly weren’t expecting him to still the storm.

Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith, and it seems apparent that they still didn’t fully comprehend who he really was.

What about us? What is our faith like? What is our response to the storms of life? Do we become worried or afraid? Or do we remember that Jesus is in the boat with us, and put our trust in him?

This is Day 29 of The Rhythm of Rest series (Write 31 Days challenge).

Image credit: morguefile.com

Monthly Musings: Three discoveries in March

I know it’s a little late since we’re already a week into April, but here are a few of my discoveries from March (in no particular order):

• I really like lemon iced tea (and not just the bottled version), but I still dislike the taste of hot tea, even when it smells wonderful. Go figure.

• Adelaide Writers’ Week introduced to me the short stories of Cate Kennedy (Like a House on Fire) and the micro fiction of Angela Meyer (Captives). I’ve tended not been a great fan of short stories, but after sampling the work of these two writers, I think I’ll be back for more. Clever, insightful, entertaining and thought-provoking.

• Luke 9:51 “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” A friend recently noted that she had always interpreted that verse as “the time approached for him to be killed … to die …” but that’s not what it actually says. And I realised that I’ve always interpreted it that way too. Yes, Jesus faced death on the cross as he headed toward Jerusalem, but I don’t think he was focussed on that. I don’t think that’s why he was resolute. Hebrews 12:2b tells us that “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” I think that when Jesus resolutely set his face to Jerusalem he was looking far beyond the cross. He knew what the outcome would be. He did not falter, and we receive the blessing of his sacrifice.

What did you discover in March?

Image sourced here.

Christmas: God with us

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

It’s Christmas once again, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, the coming of the awaited Messiah.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Matthew 1:23

One of my favourite Christmas songs is Bryan Duncan’s “The Form of Man” – the lyrics never fail to remind me of the astonishing truth of Christmas:

“He wrapped his love in flesh and blood and he took the form of man.”

The extent to which God would go to dwell among us, to love us, to redeem us, is truly beyond comprehension. With total vulnerability, Jesus the Son of God submitted himself to share our humanity. He walked this earth with us, and entered into our mess.

“God the Father sent His son and we held him in our hands.”

Whatever your Christmas looks like, whatever burdens you may be carrying, may you find peace and rest in Jesus, the one who came to be God with us.

With love and blessings,

Ann

Image sourced here.

31 Days: Listening to Jesus the Son

So here’s an interesting fact about sunflowers. When they’re growing, sunflowers tilt their heads to track the sun through the day. For that reason I’ve always liked the sunflower as an analogy for the way that we’re to turn our faces to the Son, to follow him.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-5, 14

 

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Hebrews 1:1-3a

Every time we listen to what Jesus taught, we are hearing the voice of the living God.
…
The teachings of Jesus Christ are not to be blended into the Scriptures as though He were one of many equally important voices used by God. He is, in truth, the living revelation of God Himself, the sole expression of His invisible glory. When Christ speaks, we are listening to God unfiltered, unbiased, unveiled.

Francis Frangipane,  I will be Found by You

Will you come near to listen? Will you tilt your head to follow the Son, and listen to him?

Photo sourced here.

This is Day 30 of 31 Days to Listen.

An Easter Blessing for You

In the name of Jesus, may you be blessed to know the height and breadth and depth of God’s love for you. May you know the truth of his sacrifice for you; that everything you think stands between you and his love, has been nailed to the cross. He has made a way for you.

May you know forgiveness and freedom in your life.

May you see him holding wide his arms, inviting you to draw near. May you be enfolded into his embrace, and may you know the joy of his presence.

Grace and peace be with you this Easter.