Luther Seminary

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

Archives for June 19, 2015

Friday, June 19, 2015

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

The disciples' cry is the ultimate cry of fear, of doubt and abandonment. "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" In their fear they fail to assess their true situation. Their master is with them and they could not be perishing without his notice. Of course Jesus does care, and his first move is to rebuke and calm the winds. "Peace, be still!" But then it is time for some disciple instruction. Is that really what you want to ask? “Why are you afraid? Do you have no faith?” It's hard to improve on the right question. It calls attention to the thin and risky line between fear and faith. But Jesus' question directs us to the right answer—the gift and power that is present in the gift of the good news of God's Messiah, and in his call to follow faithfully where he leads us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, it is scary when I don't understand. It is unsettling when I feel out of control, or actually am out of control. I don't want to hurt. I don't want my friends to hurt. Especially today, I don't want ___ to hurt. They are on my mind. I care. Don't you? I mean, I know you care—but I don't understand. Calm the winds of my fear and the waves of their distress. Please. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Dave Brauer-Rieke Bishop, Oregon Synod, ELCA