Nougat 28

Previous readings and hearings of this nougat failed to add that special blend I received from today’s Holy Nougat Enjoy

“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve noted the disciples’ panic, and I have commented on Jesus’ rest, but there’s one other thing that completely missed me. I took it for granted and, in so doing, missed a key point – the disciples’ faith in Jesus. Yes, as strange as it seems, those disciples expected that Jesus would be involved in every aspect of their lives. They anticipated His divine intervention before the sea became choppy.

There’s a school of theology that argues that in those days fishermen were not swimmers. And if that was the case, no one should have gone into the boat without confirming weather conditions. But they went out to sea, at Jesus’ command, albeit before the billows began to overwhelm them.

I wonder at what point during the storm that they noticed Jesus was neither bailing nor praying. Did they notice Him sleeping before the storm hit? What alerted them to His sleeping form, undisturbed by turbulence of the waves crashing against the boat? Who found the courage to cry out to Jesus, and what we’re they really expecting Jesus to do?

Without a doubt the disciples were scared and frustrated. Scared they would die; frustrated at Jesus apparent lack of involvement in preventing their demise. They expected some action beyond sleep. Perhaps they weren’t really expecting a miracle any more but maybe lead the prayers, or GRAB A BUCKET AND START BAILING WATER, like they were doing or EVERYONE WOULD DIE!!!

What do we expect from Jesus when we are caught in the storms of life? Do we have any faith that He is even aware of our situation? Have we any confidence that He can save us? At what point do we recognize He is with us, and does it lead to frustration that He seems to have left us to our own devices?

For the irony is, Jesus waited on the disciples invitation to speak life over their desperate, dying situation. They were busy saving the boat and themselves. Until they turned to Him with their hearts’ cries. Shall we turn to Him as our First resort? For He cares that we do not drown.

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May all we seek be found in Christ