Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SNOOZE (07/20/17)
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TITLE: Oblivious Slumber? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene Bonney
07/26/17 -
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They didn’t seem to mind the labor, never complaining about the thickened calluses on their hands, knobby protrusions jutting up between the valleys of their skin. They were a rough lot, mostly uneducated in all but their profession. Comfortable as they were at depending on the brute strength of their toughened bodies, lately their minds were awakening into unfamiliar territory. Like budding pods of grain in the nearby fields, life’s truths were challenging them into fertile uncharted thoughts. They whispered among themselves, questioning each other as they toiled, not so much afraid of scaring off their prey as they were of disturbing their new friend’s sleep.
Described by some as a radical rebel, Jesus looked anything but, as his relaxed body rocked along with the boat’s lullaby, hands serenely folded across His breast. He did not have the bearish body strength of His companions, but He more than made up for that with truths that poured out from His being as natural as the waterfall along the north side of this lake.
“Never heard anything like it—He speaks in such riddles!”
“But, don’t you get it,” replied another, “He sees beyond our understanding.”
“We will ask Him what He meant by the mustard seed story after He awakens. I just cannot see what that has to do with a powerful kingdom.”
“I think He means it is like someone who has only a tiny bit of faith that grows up to be the strongest and biggest,” this from John.
“Kind of like us, huh, men?” Peter and his comrades laughing at this comparison even as they remembered Jesus’ miraculous healing during the previous days.
It was getting late, dusk approaching slowly like a creeping vine, but the Man still slumbered. The disciples, these seasoned fishermen, drew in their nets even while they welcomed the salty breeze of eventide. Soon they could relax and, hopefully, join Jesus in an early evening doze.
“James, look over there—looks like a storm brewing!” unsuspected sudden squalls common on this Sea of Galilee.
Waves began lashing harder against the boat and the sailors scrambled to take in the masts and anchor the oars. With grim, tightly muscled faces, they realized they were in great peril. To be caught inside a sudden storm like this almost always ended in disaster with fatalities. The waves grew taller and taller, threatening to capsize the craft, water seeping up to their ankles as the storm raged on.
“Wake Him up, Peter; He’ll drown in His sleep!”
“How can He sleep at a time like this, anyway?” shouted Bartholomew, “I never knew that kind of exhaustion, even when I worked the nets for a day and a night.”
“It’s those miracles He does—drains Him like a leaky clay pot,” another spluttered as a drenching wave coursed over his shivering body.
“JESUS, WAKE UP, MAN—we’re drowning here!” the furious storm at a raging peak and threatening to shatter their boat into kindling.
The oars ripped from their sockets and the rolled up sails sloshed overboard while the sailors held on for dear life.
Sensing their fear even as He was sleeping, Jesus awoke then. He arose and stood up calmly, a bulwarked statue amidst His disciples’ thrashing rocky bodies.
“QUIET! BE STILL!” with outstretched arms He loudly commanded .
Immediately the wind subsided, the waves cowered into gently whimpers, and the boat stilled.
“My friends, where is your faith?” gently rebuking their fear.
“Master, Master, even nature obeys You?!” so awed were they, the disciples could barely grasp Who He was—
and still is today! When we are caught up in the storms in our lives, it sometimes seems like God is sleeping and unaware of our panic. Truthfully, He is beside us all the time, just waiting for us to call on Him. Surely, He rescues us eventually in His sovereign will and timing, dispelling even the most frightening and daunting events that threaten to overcome us.
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Based on the Bible: Luke 8:22-25; Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41.
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