Red Letters Even the Wind and Waves – April 17

RED LETTERS
April 17, 2021

Even the Wind and Waves

Mark 4:37-41, ‘Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious storm arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was almost swamped. But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion. So they shook Him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care we are about to die!” Fully awake, He rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Be still!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm. Then He turned to the disciples and said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet?” But they were overwhelmed with fear and awe, and said to one another, “Who is this man who has such authority that even the wind and the waves obey Him?”’

I find it fascinating that we find Jesus taking a nap while the rest of this demographic is fraught with anxiety and action and all the elements of a disaster.
But there is no mistake here and this is not any surprise to the God of the universe. After all, He is the One Who said, “Come on, gang; let’s go to the other side.”
It is only practical to reason this out. He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He knows that He has been given an assignment, a mission from Holy Father to Beloved Son. He knows He is going to rescue and save a messed-up, broken place. He knows where He has been, what He has done, but He also knows where He is headed and He knows all things about what it will take to arrive there. So, He didn’t send Himself out, along with His besties, to drown in a massive storm at sea. No wonder we find Jesus napping, not a care, literally, in the world!
He isn’t so inattentive though that He doesn’t hear the cry of His followers. I think about the ocean and the wildness of its waves and the endless energy that crashes continuously and deafening against anything in its path. Yet we find the Son of God sleeping…until the Son of Man is awakened by the cries of His people. It gives me great comfort to know that Jesus isn’t concerned by a storm out of control but will come to the aid of a child in need; that He can hear my cries above that of the tumultuous tempest.
Just a Word, and the wind and waves slink back to their habitat, stand at attention, kneel in salute. I consider myself; all my arguing and emphasis, demands and tantrums. “If the wind goes where you send it, so will I.” (Hillsong United)

I’ve been reading RED LETTERS all my life, but never with my heart.
During the month of April, let’s JOURNEY where JESUS journeyed,
and listen with our hearts to all He came to proclaim.