Two phrases stood out as I was reading Mark 4:35-41. Jesus had spent the day teaching by the Sea of Gennesaret to the crowd of people through parables. Because of the size of the crowd he had stepped into one of the boats nearby to use as his platform. The day was ending so, Jesus still in the boat, told his disciples that it was time to go over to the other side of the Sea of Gennesaret. Now comes the first phrase that caught my attention. It is the response of his disciples. Verse 36 says that "they took him along, just as he was, in the boat." Just what did that mean? Did it mean that the disciples made no preparations? Did they just push off and head out into this huge unpredictable body of water without the proper preparations?
Whatever the answer to my thought, the real point to be made is that disciples responded to Jesus immediately. The second phrase that caught my attention in this passage was Mark's comment that "there were other boats with him" (verse 36). Not only did Jesus' boat with the disciples on board have to face the storm, but so did other boats. So often, we think our storm is unique to us or that our storm does not affect others, but it does. The way in which we ride out the storm can have a positive or negative impact on those who arenearby.
The story ends with Jesus speaking to the storm. To the wind and waves, he said, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind and the waves responded, and the sea became calm and the wind died down. As we allow Jesus to take control of the circumstances and situations that are beyond our abilities, we will experience a calm. And others nearby will witness that peace and experience it for themselves. You can have a positive influence on others who are nearby you.
1 comment:
My favorite: "So often, we think our storm is unique to us or that our storm does not affect others, but it does. The way in which we ride out the storm can have a positive or negative impact on those who are nearby." WOW! Excellent.
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