EARTHQUAKE
Matthew 8:23-27. 28:1-10
Matthew 8:23-27. 28:1-10
Matthew 8:24: "Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping."
Mother Nature likes to play games. Have you ever felt an earthquake? The ground beneath your feet moves. You have no control over a moving earth. It comes on suddenly, and disappears as quickly as it came. It takes awhile before you trust the ground to be solid again.
Thunder cracks with a BOOM and your dog dives under your bed. What do fish do during these natural phenomena? People say animals are sensitive to Mother Nature’s forces. Birds don’t fly when a tornado is brewing. But God wants us to acknowledge we know who’s really in charge.
Jesus and His disciples were in a ship and Jesus fell asleep. A tempest raged, and the ship was tossed to and fro, waves splashing inside. His disciples woke Jesus saying, “Lord Save us; we perish!”
Can you envision the scene? Jesus sat up, rubbing His eyes. Looking around He heard the howling wind, saw waves splashing inside the boat, and felt the ship rock wildly. He must have smiled, looking at His disciples. Their knuckles were white holding on to anything solid, eyes bulging with dread—contrasting with Jesus’ calm.
Jesus might have giggled before asking them the question, “Why are you so fearful?” Then shaking His head, said, “Oh ye of little faith.” He might have sighed before rising. Holding out His hands to the raging sea, He commanded it, “Shush.”
Can you see the disciple’s faces now?
Silence. Ship floating smoothly in a peaceful sea. Jesus looking around. He might have quipped, “Everything OK now?”
Again, all eyes on Him.
He proved to them who is the Master of Mother Nature. They said to each other, “Who is He whom even the winds and sea obey?” Vs 27.
Two Marys felt an earthquake when an angel came and rolled the stone away from Jesus’ tomb. They saw him sitting on a rock looking at them as he said, “Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He has been raised,” adding, “See the place where He lay?” You can bet they were terrified.
Whenever life shakes a person, and the ground is not solid, where can we go to regain stability in our lives? We can run onto the lap of Jesus. He’s always ready with outstretched arms. “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.
Take Home Nugget
Whoever named God’s creation Mother Nature was wrong. It’s all God! He teases our sensibilities with raging storms and quaking earth to show us who’s in charge. Jesus asked His disciples, “Why are you afraid?” He says to us, “Be not afraid. Be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:18).
No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.
Where do you go when your earth quakes?
Dedicated to Marjorie Lincoln Kugel
by J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Earthquake
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment