When the waves are rising

There are a few events in the gospels that speak about the disciples getting stuck in a storm. One of them with Jesus in the boat. In the other, Jesus walks out to them on the water.

While not a fisherman, I can understand the feeling of being stuck in a storm.

We are in one right now.

Can you feel the waves these days?

Every where we look the world is swirling.

Reports of chaos and violence yesterday. The hope of the vaccine somewhat overshadowed by a more contagious variant of the virus. There are rising case numbers in every major city. Not to mention whatever you might be experiencing in our own personal world.

When I look around at all that is happening in the world, I know I need to dig deep to keep going but I find myself feeling rather fragile.  

When the world and I feel fragile, I come back to the words of Jesus. The only sure thing I know. 

I have been reading the account of Jesus walking out to his disciples on the water over the past few days.

The disciples went out to sea while Jesus was trying to take sometime in the hills to pray. Jesus has been through a lot recently - the rejection from his hometown, the death of John the Baptist, the feeding of the 5000 and now he needs a break.

He goes away to try and get a rest but a storm arises.

Mark writes, “[Jesus] saw that [the disciples] were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves.” (Mark 6:48, NLT)

The disciples were in the middle of the lake, the winds were beating and the waves were swirling.

What does Jesus do? Does he leave them to figure it out because they are experienced fishermen? No.

He has compassion on them.

Mark writes that Jesus arrived at three o’clock in the morning, in the last hours before sunrise. The disciples have been battling a storm all night. When Jesus walked out to them, they were at the point when their strength would begin to fail, when they were exhausted and discouraged and hope was in short supply.  

Much like our world today. 

Jesus walked out on the water and said, “Don’t be afraid…Take courage! I am here.” (Mark 6:50)Then, he climbed into the boat and the waves stopped.

Jesus does not scold them for being afraid. He shows them compassion and gives them reason to have courage.

I am here.

I read those words this morning and they immediately brought tears to my eyes.

Jesus comes to them at their weakest with his exquisite compassion. When they are at the end of themselves, he helps them. He does not leave them alone to fend for themselves. 

Exodus 34 records the first thing God ever said about himself to humanity. The very first thing he wanted Moses, and the world, to know about him is this - “The Lord, the Lord, the COMPASSIONATE and gracious God.” (Exodus 34:6)

This is who God is - compassionate.

Jesus sees you too. He sees you battling against the waves of whatever you are facing. He sees our collective fear and individual fears. He sees the weariness that you are carrying in this time.

Hear his sweet words again,

“Don’t be afraid….Take courage! I am here!”

Those words, “I am” are deep in the Jewish consciousness. It is the first name Yahweh gave Moses. I AM. Jesus is covertly telling them - “Take Courage! Yahweh is here.”

Yahweh, the God who brought Egypt to its knees, who gave manna in the wilderness, whose glory filled the temple, who stopped the sun for Joshua, and whose holy fire burned up the stone altar on Mount Carmel. The Commander of Heaven’s armies is here.

Do not be afraid and take courage. You are not alone. I am here.

I wish I could say that because I know this I do not struggle with fear. I am far from figuring this out but when I read these words this morning, I felt a deep sigh of relief in my soul.

These words are as true for us as they were for the disciples.

Jesus is here. He has not left. His sovereignty has not been diminished by disease or chaos. He is still reigning. He is still here. And he has compassion for you in your fear.

Yahweh is coming to you on the water. You are safe. 

May Jesus’ words calm the storm that rages inside you. May you hear his compassionate words and your feeble heart be encouraged. May you know that his presence will give you strength when you have nothing left to dig deep with. May his unfailing love and his covenant of peace be steadfast as you stand among the waves.

Still and silence the waves in our hearts and in the world, Lord.

Kyrie Eleison.