Song: All things praise Thee,
MHB 29 - All things praise Thee, Lord most high - YouTube
Prayer:
Mighty
God, who speaks a word of peace to calm our troubled sea;
Caring
God, who nudges us away from fear and toward faith;
Ever-present
God, who fills us with awe
but also raises many
questions
without easy answers;
Open our eyes to see you in
our boat—today,
Strengthen our hearts for the challenges that
lie ahead,
Open our ears this hour to hear the word you
speak.
This we pray, In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
The
worst storms, Jesus, are the ones caused by our fear,
when we
grow afraid of losing our power,
or we grow suspicious of the
power of others,
when we refuse to acknowledge your mysterious
authority;
Yet,
it's in the storm that we find our capacity to love.
In
releasing our weak claim to power
and opening to your reign,
we
discover a new way of seeing ourselves —
as called and useful
and beloved —
and the other, whoever they may be —
as
dignified and precious and beloved.
Here
in the storm, Jesus, we need you, and we need each other,
and
the love you give us to share,
leads us through sacrifice and
self-giving
to peace and calm,
if only we will loose our
hold on fear.
Amen.
cmbs.mennonitebrethren.ca
Song: In loving-kindness Jesus came,
Reading: Psalm 93
Song: Amazing grace,
Amazing Grace (Tune: New Britain - 6vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube
Reading: Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22 to 33
Song: Eternal Father, strong to save
Eternal Father strong to save - YouTube
This story from the gospel of Matthew actually contains three miracles. Have you spotted them all?
Both the crowd and the disciples had seen and heard many things, they would have had much talk about and discuss. The crowd had been sent away, and the disciples had also been sent away in them opposite direction, across the lake. Jesus clearly wanted to be alone, but he was not lonely, he was praying all night.
The NIV says just before dawn, the original version says at the 4th watch. This is measuring time by the Roman system, rather than the Hebrew system which divides the night into 3 watches.
Lake Galilee is only about 7 miles (11km) wide,and the disciples had only travelled about half way across in 12 hours. Apparently they were rowing against the wind. Even though they were professionals, they were caught out by the weather. In the same way, the simple, routine, and mundane tasks of this world cab catch us out.
Christ goes out to them, a silver lining in the cloud. Mightier than all that can oppose him, yet the disciples still cry out in fear. “Is it an apparition?” they wonder. But he comforts them “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” He is demonstrating that time and space are nothing to him. The first miracle.
When we are facing tasks and circumstances which we dread, we can do well to remember “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid”. Christ is at the centre of our affairs, whether family, work, church or leisure. Similar sentiments, which the disciples would have been familiar with are expressed by the prophet Isaiah, in chapter 41, verse 10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Peter, impulsive and decisive Peter sets off to meet Jesus, and starts well, but sinks. Apparently he takes more notice of the storm than the Saviour!
Jesus knows that there will be storms, but he will restore our faith, he will be there in the storm with us.
He saved Peter, then spoke to him. To us the words sound like a reproof, but we can’t be sure. Like all written words we do not know the tone of voice, nor the facial expression. Perhaps it was gentler than it sounds?
The storm stops, the second miracle.
What was the third? Those in the ship worship him. “Truly you are the Son of God”. Not just Rabbi, teacher, friends or companion; but Master, Son of God.
We believe Jesus to be King of kings, Lord of lords. We should be witnessing to God’s presence in the storm of life.
Song: King of Kings, Majesty
No comments:
Post a Comment