What this blog is about and what I hope it does...
I hope this will be a simple fun tool for us to grow in our understanding and surrender to God through the Bible as we connect over the web. Reading the Bible is both simple and difficult. What could be easier than opening a book and reading? Yet we've all done that and wondered what sections of the Bible mean? What's with the book of Leviticus? What is Revelation really about? Is the Song of Songs about marital love or is it supposed to be more 'spiritual' than that?
So, my intent is for this blog to be a tool that helps us in our faith. A forum for better understanding. An honest place of sharing that nurtures us as we follow Jesus together.
(There are a few resources I have included under "PAGES" that may be a helpful start, especially to those newer to reading the Bible. It's located just below this and to the right. Also included is a READING OUTLINE. If you miss a day, go on to the next rather than trying to catch up.)
ONE LAST NOTE: you don't have to join or set up an account to share comments. Just click 'comment' at the bottom of a post, click the drop down and click 'anonymous.' Then write your post and if you want sign it with your first name and finish by clicking 'Post comment.' I would love to hear your thoughts.
To me this falls into a category of science fiction type miracles (supernatural), similar to changing water into wine. Healing miracles, like we talked about a few days ago, involve people exhibiting or coming to faith, and then they are healed. "Your faith has healed you" or maybe "because of your faith you are healed" are words Jesus said a few times. But to simply have control and domain over nature is a more encompassing power.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I can imagine praying with a sick person, and by faith they could be healed. This does not necessarily need Jesus. But I cannot imagine standing at the sea shore and calling out orders expecting to be obeyed. Maybe the problem is my own limitations here - I'm only up to one half of that mustard seed.
I would have been afraid. I mean after all , He was asleep . Maybe Dave and I need to put our mustard seed halves together .............
ReplyDeleteHey , not a bad idea ; how 'bout if all of us " pooled our faith " , put our mustard seed pieces together , ie supported each other in our faith walk ?
Cool things about this story to me:
ReplyDelete1. Vivid details affirm this is a first hand account Peter passed on to Mark.
2. It present Jesus as a miracle worker. He had been presented that way earlier in the gospel, but there are others who are recorded as having healed and even cast out demons. But you're right Dave, this is something altogether different. In fact, in the OT, only God is described as having power of storms, etc. (Psalms and Job). Jesus is presented as sharing God's identity.
3. It is precisely as miracle-worker that Jesus eventually goes to the cross. The powerful one lays his life down...out of unearned compassion for us! "Who then is this?" Indeed!
Also, there might be a really interesting connection between this story and Jonah. If you have time, read them side by side.
Question for our own reflection: What storms in your life do you need to trust that God will bring you through?
So why in the world didn't anyone realize who he was? This boggles my mind. Even today, look at how many still don't know who He is, and we have 66 books that tell us the truth! I know, yet I'm sure that I still don't fully understand.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite miracles. It shows us that in the storms of our life, having faith isn't a guarantee that things aren't going to be rough, that you won't be scared, that weathering the storm won't be hard. It is a guarantee that when you put your faith in the Lord, he will get you through it. Also, getting "through it" might not be what you thought it would be or wanted.
Hey! I finally posted a comment....it only took me a week to figure this out! So, my learning curve is a bit off.....
ReplyDeleteI look forward to more fully participating now.
Glad you figured it out Wendy...wish I knew, we could have figured a way to send you a hint or two...though I'm learning myself too. Glad you're posting...thanks for the comments. Your last sentence (Also, getting "through it" might not be what you thought it would be or wanted) is worth all us remembering!
ReplyDeleteJonah 1 indeed has some striking similarities with this part of Mark . Sleeping , calming ,marveling .What should we make of these similarities ?In the Gospel of Matthew , Jesus refers to " the sign of Jonah " which I'm given to believe is the 3 days in the tomb before Jesus' resurrection .Jonah 1 tells us Jonah was in the fish 3 days and 3 nights . Mark 15 tells us Jesus died on " Preparation day . Was that Thursday ? Thursday night , Friday night , Saturday night .Is that the 3 days and 3 nights ?
ReplyDeleteDoc, the similarities seem to serve as a contrast between Jesus and Jonah, in almost every way, with Jesus doing 'right' all those things Jonah did 'wrong.' You're right on the 3 days thing. Jewish ways of counting were a little different than ours, but "after 3 days" and "in 3 days" were necessarily incompatible. John introduces more difficulty. But, they all seem to agree that Jesus was buried for at least part of 3 days, much as Jonah was in the fish's belly for 3 days. For Jews, that would have been complete confirmation that Jesus was dead, no question about it.
ReplyDelete