Storms, Jesus and the rest of the story

Today's Gospel from Mark is one which most of us know. Jesus is in a boat. There is a storm. Jesus calms the storm. The trip ends well...

Reading the Bible like a newspaper or magazine ("Hey, Honey! There is a great story about a nature miracle and that Jesus guy in today's Tribune!") leads us in certain directions. We think it is inside information on the coolest miracle ever. There is power and excitement and it just fills a person with pride to be on Team Jesus. I am sure that this is an eyewitness account (Peter) and that it is relayed as such. I also think that there is some spiritual/theological depth that is easy to miss. Having done a Lenten reflection this morning on the Gospel I want to share some things.

Mark 4:35-41 begins telling us it after evening. It is dark. Literally, scary time to be in a boat and theologically connected to evil (and Satan, Prince of Darkness). Jesus says "Let's go to the Other Side." Once again, this literal journey is also full of symbolism. Like Abraham we go with Jesus into an unknown place. The Promise of God present with us, the promise that the future is in His hand, to sustain us. The text mentions other boats with them. It is odd because they do not factor into the story. It is a detail which Peter would remember and mention. It does not progress the story. Perhaps we can understand those boats as filled with us? We are observers and witnesses to the story today!

We read "a great storm of wind" arose on the water. Go back and read Genesis 1. In the beginning there is a great wind over the waters (chaos). Suddenly, this story of a trip becomes a new story of creation. Water is chaos. In Genesis (and in Revelation, where the sea is no more once the Kingdom comes) water is much more than water. Jesus on the water is like God in Genesis. Creating out of chaos. And a boat on these waters echoes Noah and his ark. The disciples, a small band, a remnant, are passing through to the other side. To NEW creation. We are in a boat (the church) as well. We are in storms as well. Chaos surges about us. What hope do we have in such danger. Our vessel (our safe place) may be taking on water. Will we sink? (or like the Three Stooges will we drill holes in the boat bottom to drain out the water, making it worse?)

Jesus is asleep in the story. We all know the word sleep and death are often interchanged in the NT (Jesus and Paul). Sleeping Jesus is a theological image of dead Jesus (or absent Jesus). He is among us, but inefficient to help in the storm. We cry out (with the apostles) "Do you not care????" Jesus wakes, He rebukes the storm (language of exorcism) and all becomes calm.

Then there are questions? Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?
Questions asked of the disciples. Questions asked of the reader of the Gospel. Does any threat lead us to despair, knowing Jesus is Risen Lord? That is the point. The story ends with a question, "Who is this?" That question will be asked again, in chapter 8. Peter will answer, "You are the Christ, the Son of God."

Today we are in storms. God continues to create His world out of the chaos. The seven days of creation are ongoing. Each day new life is constructed. Each day the ark is full of His faithful ones, tossed to and fro on the stormy "sea" of chaos (sin and death). You and I are in the boat with Jesus. Perhaps the boat looks bad to you. Maybe you prefer a better boat, a better church. Be aware, any boat in swimming distance is still in the same storm. There is no escape. The storm will range. But no this, Jesus is asleep because He is not afraid, He expects the same of us. Trust. Faith. Not fear.

We are headed to "the Other Side." Now in this day it is a place of battle with demons. But there is another meaning to "the Other Side," namely "the Kingdom." We are headed there, as well. A place of peace and joy, of worshipping God's glory and enjoying His presence. The storm is nothing compared to that. SO be brave. Have faith. Jesus is more powerful than the storm. The New Creation is issuing forth, at His word, from the chaos of the raging seas.