There they were again. Out in the lake. Straining against the wind. Fighting against the saves. Afraid of what they thought was a ghost. There they were again, tired and afraid. But then, a familiar voice broke through their fear and terror. That familiar voice grew closer and closer to them and soon drowned out the voice of the waves. “Buck up! Don’t be afraid. It’s me!” It was the one who had calmed the sea once already. It was the one who had fed the thousands. It was the one who tended them and all he met like a shepherd. It was the one who stopped bleeding with just a touch and raised a little girl with his vocal cords. it was Jesus! Not only did his voice set their hearts at rest, but that same voice drove the sea to rest, too.
Oh, our Savior is mighty. The sea grows stormy again. We get out of one stormy sea, and the winds find us again, only too soon. But here comes Jesus with his calming words. Words that calm our hearts and make our courage like steel: “Buck up! Don’t be afraid. It’s me, Jesus!” Those same powerful words force all things to bow and bend to his almighty will. Yes, his voice sets our hearts and rest; it brings all our lives under his control.
This Sunday, we’re wrapping up our series in Mark’s gospel, during which we have considered the miracles of Jesus. Next week, we’ll be in Jeremiah again, considering our life away from home, our “Life in Babylon.”
See you Sunday! Pastor Nate