Details
I have been asked recently, “Teach me to study like you do.” My first response would be, “Pray!” Always begin by inviting the inspiring Author to show you, tell you, giving you ears to hear and eyes to see. He is faithful. Then, when reading, look for the important details. In the story of Jesus calming the storm, there are two (of many) important details that help paint the picture. Mark chapter 4, (See also Matthew 8) Jesus has taught all day, as the crowd closes in, He steps into a boat and teaches from there. We pick up later in the evening. With the disciples, He tells them “Let us go 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.” (vss 35-36, emphasis mine) They were not alone out there. WAIT… WHAT! I thought there was only one boat. Nope. The picture takes on new detail, doesn’t it? Out on the water, without warning a furious storm came up. With an exhausting day of teaching, Jesus was asleep, the disciples cry out to Him, “HELP! Lord save us, we’re going to drown.” Jesus responds, “You of little faith, why are you afraid!” He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and they obeyed.
Even with their ‘little faith’, they CRIED OUT for Jesus. Be assured that even our littlest cry for help – it DOES affect others. Invoking divine intervention, the narrative says the wind died down and was completely calm. The water was calm for the ‘other boats with Him’ as well as their own boatload. Also, when the Lord instructed they get a move on, He said, “Let us go to the other side.” If they were going to drown in the midst of the storm, He would have offered eulogies along with encouraging words of seeing them later in Paradise right there near the shore, (also assuming Peter would have had something to say about it). They were going to the other side! Side note: JUST after this victorious moment with Jesus, with all the high-fives, huge smiles, as they reach the other side, what do they encounter? A demonic attack – see Chapter 5. Principle? Enjoy the victory, but be ready for the next action-packed adventure with Jesus.
May we see and hear what Jesus says, and notice what is going on around Him. Details.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24
*Picture above, artist unknown, but I love it.
Inspired Fountain 