Whoa!
Where did this come from?
How did we not see it coming?
And what do we do now?
Those thoughts – these questions – or some form of them – have likely run through all of our minds – multiple times – these past few days and weeks.
We are all learning new words and new phrases:
Corona-virus
Covid-19
And the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic.
In the midst of this storm – and it is an unprecedented storm in our experience — in the midst of this storm –
What do we do?
Where do we turn?
Where is the hope?
And poignantly so – Where is God in all of this?
Well, believe it or not, and it may not feel like it just now – but believe it or not – this is not the first storm – nor will it be the final one. In the midst of this one I am asking myself, “How do Christ-Followers respond to crises?” … and … “How will I – respond to this crisis?”
Let’s pray: Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, together we affirm our faith in you – You are the creator – we are the created – You are the Savior – we need Your salvation – You infill the human heart with Your Spirit – and we desperately need Your presence and Your power. As we open the Scriptures please speak to us afresh and may we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church today. We pray in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.
Mark chapter 4, verses 35-41 — What do we do when crises come?
35 That day when evening came, he (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
WOW! That is a stunning story – and a very helpful – timely example for all of us in the midst of this current storm.
Can we please just look at this together?
And can we make 7 highlights in the next 27 minutes?
#1 – This is not their first storm. Storms like the one described here in Mark 4 are seasonal on the Sea of Galilee & at least 4 of these sailors are experienced fishermen who have spent their entire lives on these waters.
YET – when the winds blow – and the waves rock our boat – it is so easy to forget the past and panic in the moment.
Can you identify with this?
Has anyone hearing me today ever been through a crisis before?
Of any kind?
Ever had a health care or scare?
Ever fought a disease?
Ever had your boat rocked?
My Oh My – I can think of things in my own life for the past 50 years:
I was 5 when my dad died of a sudden and unexpected heart attack.
I was 7 when my cousin was struck and killed by a drunk driver.
Shall I go on?
After 17 hours of hard labor my wife had to have an emergency C-Section while delivering our 1st child.
We lived in rural East Africa when on September 11th, 2001, 2 airplanes flew head-first into the Twin Towers in NYC.
We had just kicked-off a major capital campaign in our congregation in Indianapolis when the 2008 financial meltdown occurred.
I’m not special. I’m not unique. You have been there. You have weathered some storms before, haven’t you? Haven’t we all?
In this moment – can we all pause – think – and remember – God saw us through the storms before – through crises-of-all-kinds – God has been and always will be faithful! He was. He is. And He always will be. Amen? Amen!
#2 – They remembered Jesus was with them in the boat in the storm.
Did it feel like it? No!
Did they wonder, “Where is Jesus now?” Yes!
Did they go to Him anyway? Absolutely!
Remember – Jesus is with you. Jesus is with your loved ones. Jesus is with those suffering and struggling for health. Jesus is with the scientists and the doctors and the entire medical community as they study and research and seek answers – and a vaccine – and the best treatment.
God is NOT A.W.O.L. — Absent With Out Leave!
God has not like Elvis — and He has not left the building!
It didn’t look like it and it didn’t feel like it – yet Jesus was right there with them – in the boat – in the storm. Is anybody hearing what the Spirit is saying to the church today?
Do you remember the little children’s song?
He’s got the whole world – in His hands.
He’s got the whole wide world – in His hands.
He’s got the whole world – in His hands.
He’s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got you and me, Sister – in His hands.
He’s got you and me, Brother – in His hands.
He’s got you and me, Sisters & Brothers – in His hands.
He’s got the whole world in His hands.
They remembered Jesus was with them – in the boat – in the storm!
Highlight #1 – This is not our 1st storm.
#2 – We remember that Jesus is with us in the boat in the storm.
#3 – Let us cry out in prayer – not in panic.
It is SO easy to panic.
It is SO human to panic — AND —
It is SO unhelpful when we do!
What is their 1st word in the storm? “Teacher”
One who knows.
One who has authority.
One who guides us – leads us – teaches us – and shows us the way.
For them to call Jesus, “Teacher,” in the midst of the storm is a statement of faith and re-assurance.
Sometimes – with 2000 years distance – we so easily fault their response.
Yet the scriptures are here highlighting their response!
They turn to – they speak to – they cry out to – Jesus.
Friends – there are few things we can do more important than in the midst of a storm – in the face of the unexpected – than to turn to – to call out to – to cry out to – Jesus.
As Christ-Followers – we don’t panic – we don’t freak out – we don’t run.
As Christ-Followers – we pray – we pull together – and we serve.
Which leads us directly to —
#4 – We respond in faith – we do not react in fear.
Again – it is so easy – it is so human – it is so “natural” – to react in fear.
To Freak Out – in person – and – on line = Have Mercy!
Yet, faith, not fear, leads us in the opposite direction.
Faith reminds us – we are not alone – we are not desperate – we are not forsaken – we are not abandoned – we are not left merely to our own puny human devices!
Faith reminds us – God is with us. God is for us. God is present. God is here. 1st John 4:8 & 16 say it twice: God is love. And what does the Scripture promise us? “Perfect love” what?” Perfect love casts out all fear!” That IS God! That IS God’s presence. This IS our faith. This IS our promise. This IS our power. This IS our God – Perfect Love – who casts out all fear!
We respond in faith – we do not react in fear!
#5 – oh how I love this – We Ask Good Questions!
What?
We ask good questions!
Too often faith – Christian faith – indeed, Christianity has been mis-characterized as NOT asking questions – not seeking answers – not even allowing questions to be asked. But what do we see here? In vs.38?
They ask their own, real, true, immediate, deeply-felt questions:
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
How incredibly reassuring it is to me that God can handle ALL of my feelings – ALL of my doubts – ALL of my questions!
How incredibly reassuring that I do not have to hide these things – from God – but I can bring them to Him – I can ask Him – I can express the depths of my soul – the wide-ranging thoughts of my mind – directly to God – and He does not reject them – or me – but welcomes them – and me! HALLELUJAH! I love this about our good God.
Listen – in a storm – in a crisis – do not hide from God – instead – turn to God – talk to God – and – please – ask good questions!
#6 – We Make Wise Choices!
In the storm – did anyone in the boat – jump out?
In the storm – did anyone in the boat shout – ABANDON SHIP!?!
In the storm – did anyone in the boat turn to someone else and say – “Hey, this was all your idea!”
No! No one jumped out. No one abandoned ship. No one began to wag their finger in someone else’s face & declare, “This is all your fault!”
Instead – what do they do?
They make the best possible choices they can in their situation.
For us – there are – at times – no easy choices – yet there are always some choices which are unwise – and there are some choices – which are wise.
Please – Make – Wise – Choices!
We are not acting as though – this is a fluke – this is no big deal – no, it is a big deal – but we are not reacting in fear – we are responding in faith.
On a practical level – we are washing our hands – fist & elbow bumping – practicing a little “social distancing” – and seeking to make the best, most sane, helpful, practical, and compassionate decisions we can.
And this has just begun – we don’t know how long this will last – but here we are – so – let’s get going in the right direction – and make – some not easy yet wise choices.
Finally – just 1 more highlight – here it is: #7 – We Care For Others.
Did you notice – when their boat is being swamped – when they are caught in this sudden storm – they are not alone! Vs.36 tells us that there are other boats – not just one – but plural – several – perhaps even many other boats. And their response led them to find help not just for themselves – but for everyone in the storm! WOW!!!
It would be easy to miss this in the story – and it would be natural for us as humans to merely think of – our selves – our families – our church – just us.
But that is NEVER the way of Jesus – and this is NEVER the way for those of us who seek to follow Him and honor Him with our lives.
According to Jesus – what is the greatest commandment?
To love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength –
Mark chapter 12 – verse 30 – and what does Jesus say next?
The 2nd greatest command is like the 1st – which is – to love our neighbor as we love ourself.
Jesus says, There are no commandments greater than these! WOW!!!
How can we love our neighbors NOW?
What does love for our neighbors look like TODAY?
Being a part of the community – and helping to flatten the curve? Yes!
Who do you know that needs checked-in-on?
Who do you know that is older?
Who do you know who has small children?
Who do you know who has underlying physical conditions that may make them more vulnerable?
Who do you know who might need an encouraging word – or text – or email or phone call?
Who do you know you can practically help NOW? Today? This week?
Followers of Jesus – in all days – in all circumstances – but especially in a crisis – are those who remember – Loving God is Loving my neighbor!
3 Ways to Respond today:
#1 – Affirm our faith – out loud together – say these words with me:
Jesus is with us in this storm and together He will see us through!
Say it with me please:
Jesus is with us in this storm and together He will see us through!
#2 – Write down the names of the people that are in your world – in your circle of influence – who might need an encouraging word? Who might need a helping hand? Write down their names right now – and then follow up with them – encourage them – help them – let us love our neighbors.
#3 – Pray together – now – with me – and in an on-going way – let’s pray:
End with the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those,
who have trespassed against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
the power,
and the glory,
forever.
Amen.
