Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Archives for June 20, 2003

Friday, June 20, 2003

Mark 4:35-41 (NRSV)

Read Mark 4:35-41 on biblegateway.com

Verse 35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." Verse 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. Verse 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. Verse 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Verse 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. Verse 40He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" Verse 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Devotion

I know people who can cook up a storm, talk up a storm, even preach up a storm, but I don’t know anyone who can calm a storm!

“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” It is Jesus, the Christ, who has been given such authority over heaven and earth. Jesus’ powerful word calms the wind and the sea. And, it is the power of the word that creates, heals and forgives too.

We all know the power of words. Words such as: “I love you” or “I forgive you” or “Peace be with you” can bring healing and reconciliation to strained relationships and restoration to the broken-hearted. The power of the word is always seeking to reconcile and restore a broken creation and a broken people to the Lord our God and to each other.

Prayer

Creator God, we give you thanks for the power of your Word, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit empower us to speak your word of healing and forgiveness to the broken relationships in our lives. Amen.

Laurie A. Jones Ballard First Lutheran Church, Seattle