Nougat 7

What images come to mind when the verb ‘cast’ is mentioned? And what about when it is ‘casting’? Any difference? Please bear your image in mind as we consider today’s Holy Nougat

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.] (‭‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬‬:‭7‬ ‭AMPC‬‬)

So Peter, in a tweet about worry retweets a favourite Psalm, using what I believe is a fishing image. (Well, it makes sense, he uses examples from his industry, it is his area of expertise). In my mind’s eye, Peter used a nylon-type of net, that would be hurled (cast) out in the deep for the best catch. It seems inconceivable that we ‘catch’ anything when we cast all our cares on Jesus; but I dare say Peter has a critical point.

Casting or hurling for me invites force and intentionality. In fact, the Greek lexicon suggests that one ‘throws away, throws off’. Interestingly, this is the same verb used in Luke 19:35, at Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people ‘threw’ (ie cast) their coats on the colt and the road. Do you remember what they cried? Yes, it was ’Hosanna!’; which interpreted means ‘Lord, save us!’

The invitation is extended to us to cast all our cares (yes each and every single one) upon Jesus. It is as though Peter has invited us to see Jesus on that colt in all His glory; and we hurl – as though it were clothing; but with the strength casting our nets in the deep – our cares (anxiety and worry) upon Jesus Himself!

Now that’s an even more powerful image for me. Because this King of Love invites me, albeit via Peter, to offer to Him MY burdens (and for you to offer yours), to throw them off me like graveclothes. I’m seeing Lazarus being released from the bondage of death as a sign that we all shall rise in glory with Jesus; and I hear Jesus, not Peter, saying my child you are loosed from your infirmity! That is manna to my soul!

So yes, Peter was right if he desires us to imagine hurling our cares like fishing nets. For when we cast our cares to God, to Jesus sacrificially, it won’t come back to us as worries. We’ve let them go and anticipate our catch to be Peace. For, Jesus IS our Prince of Peace.

Right now, if we haven’t already done so, let’s cast our cares on Jesus, crying,‘Hosanna!’ ‘Save us Lord!’ Amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ