Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Meanwhile, the disciples were in
trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting
heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking
on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were
terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to
them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! ” Then
Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking
on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat
and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the
waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus
immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus
said. “Why did you doubt me?” (Matthew 14: 24 -31, New Living
Translation)
Lake Erie was doing
its own imitation of the storm on the Sea of Galilee!
A nice morning
turned dark as the storm swept in upon us. The waves had already been crashing over
the dark grey, granite boulders in front of our lake house, but now they
furiously stormed and smashed way over the rocks and spray and water was pelting
the house. The waves were roiling and rolling as they waters turned grey with huge,
swelling whitecaps. Then the brunt of the storm finally hit. Rains teemed down
in buckets. Hail fell the size of marbles and clacked hard against the windows.
Small limbs of trees were ripped off by gale force winds. Even heavy deck furniture
was heaved aside. Lake Erie was dangerous and treacherous. It was both fascinating
and terrifying to witness.
This storm happened
on our last Thursday of our vacation. It lasted about an hour as we watched the
storm clouds finally move on, leaving us a clean-up on the deck. Nothing
serious was broken or lost. Eventually the sun shone again.
Earlier in our
stay I had noticed a small blade of grass growing out of one of the boulders. Grass
is occasionally used in scripture as a metaphor for human mortality,
vulnerability and frailty. “Are we no more to you than a wispy dream,
no more than a blade of grass…?” (Psalm 90:5, The Message Bible) But
this little stalk was being rather defiant and therefore, alone noteworthy,
suggesting a metaphor for persistence, perseverance and just plain doggedness. It was growing out of sheer rock which alone
begs for me to make the rather obvious connection that God through Jesus Christ
is the rock of our faith to whom we cling. “The
Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find
protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” (Psalm
18:2, NLT)
So, I was quite
curious to find out whether that little blade of grass survived the storm or
not. And sure enough, there it was, still clinging to the rock, looking as
sturdy as ever, and not torn away by the severity of the storm it has just
endured.
Once more, the
human interpretation of this living parable is striking. “From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is
overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety…” (Psalm 61:2, NLT)
For a brief moment
Peter got it – he welled up his courage and faith and stepped out of the boat
and he, too, boldly stood in defiance of the storm. But then he saw where he
was and the strong winds and the big waves and his faith faltered and he began
to sink. The storm overwhelmed him, caused him anxiety and fear, took hold of his
heart and soul and he began to drown. “Save me!” – which is what any one us
will cry out in troubled times, threatening circumstances or frightening situations.
Jesus extended his
hand and caught Peter before he went under. Jesus was somewhat disappointed
that Peter and the other disciples had so little faith that they had not
listened to him when he had called for them to take courage because he was right
there, with them.
The things you
think of when you contemplate a small blade of grass…
Dale
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