St. John's
A-boat-ride-to-the-other-side
What a blessing, St. John’s, that you have “in the wings”, two former ministers – now mostly retired – to fill the pulpit as needed! I think Dr. Nancy and Rev. Jeff would agree that amongst us there are a variety of preaching styles and pastoral practices to confuse everyone! I can safely say we all like each other!
In my head-space, I know that I am missing another summer in Nova Scotia, so I was glad to encounter in today’s Gospel, Mark’s account of Jesus at sea and stilling the storm. For you haven’t truly witnessed a storm, until you’ve seen the angry and powerful sea, “all upset”!
Then for a bit more insight, I chose the “Jonah story” - but not just the part about the “big fish” – or the whale.
You did hear, of course, about the fisherman diving for lobster near Cape Cod in Maine about a week ago? He found himself in the mouth of a humpback whale for a minute or so…the latter didn’t like the taste and spat the man back out into the water!
We hardly remember anything about the Jonah story, except for the whale…but there’s much more to it.
A case can be made for Jonah as an historical figure, whose story occurs in the Old Testament as a kind of parable.
It seems that Jonah was picked for the unenviable task of warning the wicked city of Nineveh, that unless it got its stuff together and repented, God would “shut her down”.
Jonah wasn’t up for the job, so hoping God might not notice, he boarded a ship going in the very opposite direction.
A violent storm occurs, threatening the ship and sailors, the passengers and cargo.
The word went out, (to a very multi-faith, multi-cultural crowd): “Pick your god, and pray mightily to be spared!”
His companions discovered Jonah’s disobedience, i.e. running away from the will of God, and as a last-ditch effort, tossed Jonah over the side.
Enter the whale…whom God used to save and shelter Jonah for three days and three nights…according to the story. (Does length of time matter? Not really!)
The point is, God rescued Jonah, who immediately warned the city of its impending doom.
There was a dramatic conversion and act of repentance on everyone’s part, so that “when God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.” Jonah 3:10
But lo and behold, Jonah is very disappointed with God, and becomes the “sulking prophet”.
According to Jonah and his narrow, intolerant interpretation of things, God is only supposed to care/show concern for, Jonah’s own Hebrew/Jewish people.
Jonah resents that God chooses to love all people, because he and his own are the only “special ones”!
Back as far as 4th century B.C., God’s intention and goodwill was limited not just to Israel, but to Gentile brothers and sisters as well.
Opting for the good news of God’s generous and unconditional love, God’s people were to turn from (repent)…racial exclusiveness, narrow nationalism, religious intolerance.
Is that then – or today – we’re talking about?
Jonah’s story concludes with God saying, “(Get over it) …should I not be concerned about Ninevah, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” Jonah 4:11
When I began this week’s preparation, I wasn’t even thinking of Jonah! That’s how Holy Spirit influences the process!
One thing those who live near the water or make their living from the sea, know very early or learn very quickly…is to respect the power and unpredictability of storms over large bodies of water…not only the high seas, but scenic smaller lakes (Central Alberta i.e.), can surprise as well.
There are those calm sunning-on-the-beach days which we Northerners pay big bucks for…but there is also that chaos out of which dry land is formed, according to the poetry of the creation-stories.
Forty years ago, I sailed on the Sea of Galilee with other tourists in Israel…and a more peaceful, uneventful outing you could not find.
In today’s Gospel good news, Mark describes another day in Jesus’ and his disciples’ lives. And if we need reminding, life in the service of Jesus – trying to follow him – is not always a “walk in the park”. Let’s recall the details…
* Jesus invited his best friends into the boat, into the storm, out at sea in the dark, feeling lost…just getting to the other side! There are those days…and there are those years! We’re just getting to what seemed months ago – like the “far shore”!
* And so, there is a great storm, which Jesus/God leads us into and through.
* Jesus keeps his cool, remains unphased, unperturbed…Lord and Master we might say, of the storm at hand.
* In desperation – just like the crew in Jonah’s boat – the disciples wake Jesus up, and dare to ask that question on which our faith hangs… “Don’t you care if we drown…What do you mean by sleeping through this?”
* Jesus responds to their question by stirring himself, declaring against the wind and waves when all hope and rescue seem lost. The storm in Mark ends because Jesus commands it to “Be silent! Be still!” 39
* And Jesus asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
All through Mark, those closest to Jesus, who witness and hear all that he does and says, remain very slow to figure him out. And yet he does not desert, or give up on, those in the boat with him, who have cast their lot with him.
He remains in the boat with them, through the storm, arriving safely on the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
Blessedly, Jesus is not too choosy or selective about the company he keeps on these constant adventures, at all stages of life!
This account in Mark ends in wonder and awe – in worship – with Jesus’ “besties” asking, “Who is this?”
In spite of the storm, in the midst of the storm, the boat under Christ’s command, proved a safe – and saving – place to be. Life is not always lived in secure harbours – had you noticed?
For those who try to live by faith, the story is about us in the boat with Jesus. And the storms come out of nowhere … “stuff” happens … in an outdoor market, or a research lab maybe.
And Jesus doesn’t obsess so much about the specific storm, but he cares mightily for those who fear and care about, and are concerned about and are affected by the storm.
No risk, no gain. God doesn’t call us to the adventure of life without some storms being included. Being realistic – but hopeful – about the set-backs, the big waves and winds – helps get us to the other side of the lake.
A visiting pastor tells about calling on an elderly parishioner in a “facility” (or “God’s waiting-room”!) When asked if they could pray together, she replied, “No. If you want to pray, that’s fine with me. But I’ve already had plenty of time to say everything to God I wanted to say. Besides, I best not bother God at this point.”
The minister assured her she wasn’t “bothering” God, but she patiently explained to him who should know better, “It’s not that. I just don’t know whether I want to hear from God. God has asked me to do so many difficult things over the years, demanded so much of me. I think I best leave God alone for now.”
God will “bother” us…one way or another. It’s the reality, the consequence of giving us individual freedom in some circumstances.
But the storms of life are never over…still peace does not prevail, until God in paternal and maternal wisdom, declares smooth-sailing again…and our arrival on the other side of the lake.
