JESUS IS SLEEPING

2-4-16

JESUS IS SLEEPING

             That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 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?”  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  (Mark 5:35-40)

                  Despite the time they had already spent with Jesus, the disciples still did not know the extent of his power.  But they must have had some idea, why else would they have awakened him?  They still had a long way to go though, before they would be able to trust Him absolutely.  It wasn’t until the Resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit that they truly understood.  From then on they were courageous and steadfast.   They can be forgiven for their fear and uncertainty but what about us?

            Can we, who know the whole story, who have experienced first hand the wonder of his love and protection, find an excuse for not trusting him?  Sometimes we are like the crowds that so exhausted him that he slept through a gale, begging him in despair for help as though we were strangers.  When will we know better?  How can we tell others to seek Him out when we are so mistrustful?  When Jesus was overwhelmed, he prayed.  Did he recite ancient psalms or did he simply talk to the Father?  Did he find comfort in laying out the trials of the day and seeking God’s wisdom? When he finished his prayers did he not know without doubt that God would guide him and strengthen him to continue his mission?   Jesus human nature was no different than ours. Beset by fear, insecurity, hesitancy at the beginning, he found the strength he needed, the confidence to follow his head and heart with absolute certainty that God was at his side. 

            There is exquisite liberation in the moment when we fully believe that no matter what is coming, Jesus is not sleeping but fully awake, fulfilling his promise to be with us all days. (Matt. 28-20)

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin, OPA