Have you ever been on a boat? In storm and been afraid? My parents were missionaries and when we moved to Brazil South America, we went by boat. A really big boat actually – an Ocean Liner. The weather the first day was fantastic, I remember swimming in the swimming pool and having a blast. But for the balance of the trip the seas were storming, and we experienced windstorms. Even swimming in the pool, I could feel the motion of the ocean – rocking the boat back and forth back and forth. I remember feeling afraid and so seasick. For days, I could not keep ANYTHING down. I was sick over half of the time of our voyage which was 11 days. I am now a confirmed land lover.
In today’s Gospel Reading from Mark, Jesus has been teaching large crowds of people beside the Sea of Galilee with parables – we heard about parable of the mustard seed last week from Rev. Terri. In today’s story it is nighttime, Jesus has been teaching all day and is seeking refuge from the crowd and suggests to the disciples to cross over to the other side, which by the way is Gentile territory. Gentile was anything not Jewish. The ancient meaning was pagan or heathen – but that is another sermon – I digress. They go across by boat.
After all they are fishermen. Jesus falls asleep at the seat of honor on some cushions. Which means that even God incarnate can get tired!
Do any of you have experiences with fishermen? No, not sports fishermen. Someone who had to fish for a living or perhaps just to get dinner? My experience was 50 years ago when we lived in Brazil. The fishermen would bring in their daily catch and you could buy it right there on the beach. I remember some of the best lobster came from those fishermen – and the lobsters were still alive. But the fishermen were mostly poor fishermen and the boats that they used where called “jangadas.” “A Jangada is basically a raft made of light wood with a sail, seat, and steering oar, and dagger boards used by fishermen along the northeastern coast of Brazil.” The word jangada means the “joining of timber.” It is a flat raft with a sail. They are tied together without nails.
This second picture is a painting my mom has above her chair in the living room.
Ocean water can and does easily come across the boat – because it is FLAT. But the light wood it is made of will not sink regardless. A Jangada actually looks like it was hastily put together by castaways, however, do not be fooled, they can stay at sea for several days and can be found alongside ocean liners up to 40 miles offshore. [3] It took a lot of faith not to be afraid to venture out in one of these. Now-a-days the commercial fishing boats have replaced the jangada. There is even a song written about jangadeiros – the fishermen. Minha jangada vai sair pro mar – which means my raft/jangada is going to go out to the ocean/sea. This trade was passed down from father to son for generations. You had to be experienced, fearless, and full of faith to be this kind of fisherman.
The disciples, of the 5 that we know their professions – the majority were fishermen, they are in a boat --that they too are used to, and a great windstorm arises. I figure that this must have been a REALLY great windstorm to scare to death experienced fishermen. They basically feared for their lives! So much so that they noticed that Jesus was sleeping like a little baby during all of this! “The storm is dramatic. It is worth noting that just because we have Jesus with us does not mean our lives are storm-free.” [4] The disciples are so scared – believing they are perishing – that they wake Jesus up and Jesus rebukes the storm, calms the sea, then He rebukes the disciples. Have you ever gotten someone up who had been fast asleep, and they are NOT happy with you that you woke them up? That could be the case here. Jesus says, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” [5] OUCH. “And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” [6] It is like a light has gone off for the disciples. They know that Jesus is the Messiah.
Once the disciples realized that Jesus was with them the storm became calm. Once they knew the presence of Jesus was there a fearless peace entered their hearts. To voyage with the presence of Jesus was to voyage in peace even in a storm. And this was not just a one-time crossing, it is something that still happens and can happen for us. Even in the wildest storms of life, with the presence of Jesus, we can have peace. [7] Seems to me that over these last 16 months we have had to deal with some very dramatic storms. Jesus gives us peace in the storm of sorrow. Jesus reminds us when sorrow comes our way ---as it will --- of the glory of life to come. Jesus changes the darkness of death to the brightness of eternal life. He shares with us the love of God. Jesus assures us also that those who have died that we love have gone to God and gives us the knowledge that we will meet again those whom we have loved and lost. [8]
Jesus gives us peace during the turbulent times we are distraught, doubtful, and depressed over life’ problems. Not knowing which road to take for sure. Or how to move forward. When we turn it all over to Jesus, He will make the road clear for us. The path will be known. But we must be willing to do His will and humbly submit – thy will be done - that is the way to peace during such a stormy time. [9]
Jesus gives us peace in the storms of apprehension, fear, and worry. We are anxious perhaps even overanxious about ourselves, the unknown future, and about those we love. But Jesus speaks to us of a love beyond which neither --we nor those we love ---can ever drift. In the storm of anxiety, He brings us the peace of the love of God. [10] “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”
“Remember this: Jesus had all power in heaven and earth available to him. He chose to empty himself of his power and take on the life of an average man. He chose to endure hardship. He chose to endure oppression from the Roman government and rejection from the religious establishment and his own family. He chose to be hungry, to be lonely, to be abandoned and betrayed by his closest friends. He chose to suffer wrongful arrest and torture and humiliation and death. Jesus chose to place himself into every imaginable storm because he had faith that God was using these storms for a greater purpose, for the salvation of the world. Jesus chose to place himself into every imaginable storm because he knew God Almighty was with him every step of the way. That’s how he could face down every storm without fear.” [11]
Sometimes He calms the storm and sometimes He calms us in the midst of the storm. Jesus said - My peace I give to you. (John 14:27). We are to pass it on! AMEN.
(Accessed June 19, 2021.)
[2] Picture my parents purchased while we were in Brazil. [3] Jangadas—Brazil’s Unusual Sailing Crafts (jw.org) Accessed June 19, 2021. [4] Markham, Ian and Samantha R. E. Gottlich. Lectionary Levity. P143. [5] Harper-Collins Study Bible, p 1925. [6] Harper-Collins Study Bible, p 1925. [7] Barclay, William. The Gospel of Mark. P. 116. [8] Barclay, William. The Gospel of Mark. P. 116. [9] Barclay, William. The Gospel of Mark. P. 116. [10] Barclay, William. The Gospel of Mark. P. 117. [11] https://sermons.com/sermon/when-storms-hit-home/2236949
(Accessed June 20, 2021.)
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