Luther Seminary

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

Archives for June 15, 2012

Friday, June 15, 2012

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

It is easy for us to dwell on our individual relationship with Christ. It is also common for us to focus exclusively on Christ's presence in our "boat," whether that is our congregation, culture or country. However, our boat is not the only vessel on life's seas.

Verse 36 notes, "Other boats were with him." When the windstorm arose and the Sea of Galilee became turbulent, the waves surely beat into all the boats. Certainly, the disciples were not the only voyagers fearful of perishing. Just as certainly, when Christ rebuked the wind and told the sea, "Peace! Be still!," the other boats also benefited from the ensuing calm. Christ's words of peace are not for us alone or for our "boat" exclusively. They are words of steadfast love and grace for all people. As we sail life's seas, God calls us to rebuke injustice's chaos and share God's peace.

Prayer

God who even the wind and sea obey, please be with all of us as we sail life's often-stormy seas. Keep us mindful that every boat benefits from your calm waters. Help us share words of comfort and peace with all our neighboring voyagers. Amen.

Mary Simonson Clark Minneapolis Area Synod Malaria Work Coordinator