Saturday Reflection – 10 October 2020

Saturday Reflection – 10 October 2020

“Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. St. Mark 4:39

For many weeks, our reflections have been centred around this global pandemic that we have been grappling with since March of this year. Even so, this week, we have been exposed to the many challenges that have arisen in the teaching-learning environment since the start of this academic year. We can also imagine the many social challenges that people face in these troubling times. All this can be properly characterized by Mary-Ann Baker in the words of her hymn saying “Master, the tempest is raging.”

The story as recorded in St. Mark 4:35-41 is a popular one. Jesus and his disciples moved by boat across the Sea of Galilee. Whilst moving to the other side, Jesus fell asleep and a violent storm had suddenly emerged. You can think about it, like this past week, where the sky was blue and the sun was shining and suddenly it began to rain, and almost immediately, that rain turned into downpour. You can now imagine the winds and the waves as it tossed the boat and water began to enter the boat. See the boat as it was about the capsize. Imagine the anxiety and fear that warped the disciples in that moment and in all of that, Jesus slept peacefully in the boat.

The text tells us that they woke Jesus asking him “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (vs 38b) Now imagine Jesus in the calmest possible sense, as he was awakened from his rest, and he gets up and commands the winds and the waves to stop and says the words “Peace! Be still!” And see, the wind ceasing and the waves calming down, the boat being levelled and a tranquil atmosphere surrounding where they were.

Have we been burdened, plagued with anxiety and fear by our own tempest that is raging? We can all identify with the challenges being brought on by the onset of COVID-19. Are we facing challenges whether connected to COVID-19 or not that are overwhelming us, and we feel like we are in a boat about to capsize? Do we feel that the Saviour is not with us in our storm? Do we have the feeling that he is not responding to our cries, nor does he feel our anxiety and fear? Do we feel like he is sleeping?

When Jesus had calmed the sea, he asked his disciples a simple yet profound question “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (vs. 40) The disciples had the privilege of walking with Jesus and experiencing the teachings and miracles that he performed, and, in their minds, they still limited what God was able to do. Jesus was indeed in the boat with them, even as he journeys with us. Yet still, they awoke Jesus from a place of fear and anxiety, they probably even doubted that he was able to save them. It was not a place of surrender, nor one of faith and Jesus had to ask them this question.

We have heard the promises of God. We can testify to the goodness of God. Therefore, as we traverse to the other side of this pandemic, we are assured that Jesus is with us, and when we pray, we come to him in faith, believing that he is, and is able to save us from drowning. By his Holy Spirit, we can draw the strength that will transform our anxiety and fear to power, love and a sound mind. Today, we are reminded that while the tempest rage, Christ is breathing peace in our circumstances. We ought to be still and know that he is God. His word, as written is true and when he spoke, it stood fast. He reminds that he is greater than any storm, so as he journeys with us, let us hold on to his unchanging hand.

Until next week,
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will,
Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,
Or demons or men, or whatever it be
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still!

As he breathes the peace that passes all understanding, may we be still, and in faith, allow Christ to calm the storm. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair