Words of Hope

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35 On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

It had been a long and tiring day for Jesus. Hours and hours in a boat bobbing by the shore. He had taught the great pressing crowds about the kingdom of heaven. Even at the close of day the crowds were so thick upon the shore and in boats all around that the only way to leave them was to take the very boat that had served as his pulpit and head out for the far shore of the lake. With little ceremony and no chance to prepare for the trip they pull away from the multitudes and Jesus lays down in the back in utter exhaustion.

37 And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?”

It is a testament to just how tired Jesus was. The winds are screaming through the rigging, waves, like ravenous jaws, are crashing down over the boat, threatening to swallow it whole – the little vessel quickly filling with water. And yet Jesus sleeps. Exhausted, yes, but more so – comfortable and at peace in his father’s hands. Jesus is not the least concerned by the ravages of wind and waves. He is at peace.

By way of contrast, how long do you think that the once-fishermen-now-disciples fought with all their skill and every ounce of their strength? At what point did they realize that THIS was the storm that would finally send them to a watery grave? How long until they despaired because despite their skill as sailors there was nothing they could do about it? How long did it take for them to run out of every other option and so at last turn to Jesus? And when they did, why was it with indignation and accusations? “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?”

“Teacher” they call him, for that is all they see in their time of travail. They have pigeon-holed this Jesus in their hearts. A great man, a superb teacher, yes – but so what? Passion for the Scriptures is great when you are safe and comfortable in the synagogue, but out here they needed a passion for the preservation of life! Can you hear the unspoken accusation of their hearts as they view him sleeping while they fight for their lives? All day long you speak on and on about the glories of the kingdom, but what good are words when my boat is sinking?

But this Jesus is so much more than simply a teacher, isn’t He? 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 41 And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

One little word “SILENCE” and the winds die down in an instant. One single word “MUZZLED” and the gaping jaws of the deep are snapped shut, the waves disappear, and only calm remains. Where only seconds ago the world was in pandemonium, now there is an eerie peace. An equally overwhelming peace. A peace that in many ways is more terrifying than the storm it has replaced.

The question of whether or not Jesus cares is instantly forgotten in the wake of a new and more urgent one. “Who is this?” “Who is this man before them” He is certainly not just a teacher! It is no ordinary man that gets the last word in a debate with the very forces of nature. So who is this? Isn’t it obvious? He is GOD! Was it not God who in the beginning said: (Genesis 1:9-10) “Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.”

Is it not God who in our OT reading rightly asks Job (Job 38:4,8-11) “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who … shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth from the womb … and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, and said, `Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?”

“Who then is this [Jesus], that even wind and sea obey him?” He is GOD! He is the very same God who created those winds and waves in the very beginning by His Word. He is the God who sets the limits of all creation with but a Word. He is the God who controls them with a single Word. He is the one with all power and authority in heaven and on earth. He is the one who not only cares very much for his disciples, but is the only one with the final word in all that will befall them in their lives.

The question for us 21 century disciples is not so much “Who is this Jesus?” This mighty miracle and the whole record of Holy Scripture answer without reservation just who this Jesus truly is. The question for us is rather “Who do we think He is?” or better “Who do we treat Him as?” For the historical account found in our Gospel also serves as a metaphor for our own lives. We too are storm-tossed on the sea of life, constantly and fearfully beset by difficult moral issues, challenges to our faith, and many hardships of both body and soul. Where there is smooth sailing today, without warning, we can be in danger of drowning the next.

Do we struggle on alone, hoping to keep our head above water? Do we rage in vain against the injustice of this world? Do we give in to despair and give up hope altogether? Do we turn to God only when every other option has been tried and failed? Have we like so many before us, compartmentalized Jesus, pigeon-holed him in our life to something far too small and insignificant to make a real difference, and then blame him when he doesn’t seem to do what we don’t really think he can or will anyway? Jesus is a nice guy for the weak-minded. Jesus as a great example of all that I can be. Jesus – if you have nothing better to do for an hour or two on Sunday morning. Jesus – a nice story for children, but what really can He do out there in the real world? After all, its not like Sunday school you know!

Who is this Jesus? He is the one who asks us, as he did those men in the boat: 40 “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Faith comes not from what is seen, but from what is heard – in God’s Holy Word. Whether we see him at work in our lives or not, he is there doing just that. Protecting, guiding, healing, directing, loving and forgiving us always. He has said so. No matter even if we are facing death, He is GOD, and not even death itself will have the final word in our life. Jesus himself guaranteed that when he faced down death and defeated it with a truly powerful word “Tetelestai” FINISHED! Let the devil the world and our own sinful flesh rage around us as much as they will, for in the end – on that last day, our Lord who sometimes in this world appears to be sleeping, will step to the fore and all, even they, will be forced to obey. This is the faith that sustains us through the storms of life. This is the hope that cannot fail for this is the Lord of heaven and earth who rides the waves of this life with us. This is the truth that brings great peace and calm to our fearful and troubled souls.

Who is this Jesus that even the winds and the waves obey him? He is Your God! No matter what else happens, He is the one who has the final word! Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercies endure forever.

AMEN.

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What you see is what you get. It’s often used as a selling point … no hidden fees or strings attached. What you see is what you get! But no one really believes it … no one even wants to believe it! Why do you think so many other advertisers also use the words “But wait! There’s more!” Of course there is. You and I both know it, don’t we. We see it at work all the time. I know he seems a little awkward, but when you get to know him better you’ll see he’s a really great guy. I know it doesn’t look like much, but boy you should see it go! You mixed what and what in that recipe? I wouldn’t have believed it unless I had tasted it.

We all know that what you see is not always what you get. Sometimes it is way better. A book with a strange title, but a wonderful story. A kitchen gadget that exceeds your every expectation. An odd encounter that leads to a lifelong friendship. A little church that defies all the odds. What you see may be really nice, but just wait … there’s so much more.

On this occasion of our 20^th Anniversary, it might be a struggle not to look around and wonder why there isn’t more. Oh sure, today is wonderful – so many guests and family and friends to celebrate with us – but what about next week, and the week after? Today we can’t help but think back to all those hopes and dreams of twenty years ago, and begin to tally up how many have come true and how many have not. Twenty years in and we might just be tempted to look around and say this is nice, but is it all there is.

It was the same question Jesus was addressing in the hearts of His disciples in our Gospel reading for today. Why aren’t there more being saved? What else should we do? What are we missing? Why doesn’t this look like it’s working? And Jesus’ answer? Just sow the seed.

We are not given to manipulate people into decisions, or sell them on an idea. The business world manipulates people. Medicine manipulates bodies. It is only natural, then, that people should think that the church manipulates souls – but it does NOT. We simply sow the seed and let it grow when and where God wills. And yet, God’s people are not always content to trust God – doing as He says and then waiting for the harvest to come. If only our church were larger or had more programs maybe we could attract more visitors. If only we changed what we do to be more like what people want, we wouldn’t lose so many. If only I could speak more fluently, maybe I could invite my neighbour to church. If only this … if only that …

We have a long record of coming up with what we think are better ideas that will work better and hasten the coming of the Kingdom of God. And so from time to time we busy ourselves with all sorts of popular fads and congregational programs or self-chosen errands and self-directed approaches to outreach ministries … as if Jesus weren’t calling enough men into His Ministry to actually bring about the Kingdom by itself. Indeed, churches have invented all the other ‘ministries’ because we simply don’t trust that the one Ministry Jesus commanded – sowing the seed – is sufficient to grow the Kingdom by itself.

And yet this is the very point of Jesus’ parable to us on the day of our anniversary celebrations. (26-29) And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Seeds don’t look like much, but within them is the power of life itself. The seed of God’s kingdom is the Word of God, and that seed has a mysterious and wonderful power to grow and grow and grow! The person who sows the seed has nothing to do with the power that gives it growth. Only God can create faith in the hearts of mankind. Neither the one who sows the seed nor the one in whom the seed has been planted is responsible for its growth. That power lies in the seed itself. It is the power of the Gospel for salvation!

Is it not also at the heart of the song we just sang? The sower sows; his reckless love Scatters abroad the goodly seed, Intent alone that all may have The wholesome loaves that all men need. Though some be snatched and some be scorched And some be choked and matted flat, The sower sows; his heart cries out, “Oh, what of that, and what of that?” Preach you the Word and plant it home And never faint; the Harvest Lord Who gave the sower seed to sow Will watch and tend His planted Word.¹

Our task is clear, and on this measure we have cause to celebrate and reflect today. We cast the seed into our community – joyfully – with reckless fervor. For the Word grows where it is planted. The more you sow, the more it grows! We will not ever run out so don’t be shy about it. And don’t be discouraged by what you don’t see. God works through every Word of the Gospel we share. Who knows what God will accomplish through the seeds we plant today? We do … for that is the point of Jesus’ final parable today:

(30-32) And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

There is so much more to God’s kingdom than meets the eye. And although it may start off slowly, and although it may look to be less than we might hope for now … in the end it will be greater, and more glorious than anything you can imagine! Even the tiniest seed now, can produce a rich and eternal harvest! It may be in two years, twenty years, or two hundred years … it matters not. God’s kingdom is His work of grace in the hearts of His people. It is planted by His Word. It grows and is nourished in the Word. It finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Word. The power to save is in the Word. Let this be our comfort. Let this be our reason for looking forward to the next 20 years … that we might have more time to share this precious comfort, this gift of salvation in God’s Word! Just wait … there’s so much more!

O Spirit, who didst once restore Thy Church that it might be again The bringer of good news to men, Breathe on Thy cloven Church once more, That in these gray and latter days There may be those whose life is praise, Each life a high doxology To Father, Son, and unto Thee.²