"Oh, Lord, the sea is so big... and my boat is so small..." A Look at the Story of Jesus Stilling the Storm as a metaphor of the church
(Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)
Mark-Luke: One similarity is both talk about the boat being filled/swamped. Luke uses a seafarer's term, "anago" to specifically mean "swamped."
Both Matthew and Mark place an importance upon the “sea” which they also call the “Sea of Galilee.” Matthew refers to the Sea of Galilee eleven times and mark refers to this name seven times. However, this is not a sea, but a freshwater lake. It has been suggested that the use of the term sea is used to demonstrate Jesus’ control over the forces associated with the deep.
Interestingly, In addition to more geographic accuracy with "lake" vs. "Sea", Luke uses more nautically correct terms--terms that would have been more familiar with seafarers. It is unclear why.
In both Mark and Luke, Jesus "rebukes" the storm (epitimao).
In both Mark and Luke, the disciples' question is of Jesus' identity ("Who, then IS this...")
In Mark, Jesus is asleep in the stern as the storm ravages the boat...the disciples are afraid and rebuke Jesus, saying"Teacher, do you not care if we perish?"
FEAR
In Mark's Gospel, the disciples refer to Jesus as Teacher..
Though in Luke's, they refer to Jesus as "Master"..though in both variants, they act in FEAR, assuming Jesus does not care if they perish.
FAITH
Jesus rebukes both the storm and the disciples..
Where is your faith?
Matthew departs from Marks description of the storm at sea λαῖλαψ … ἀνέμου, “a fierce whirlwind.” and changes it to σεισμὸς … ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ, “an earthquake … in the sea,”
If we view the Church as a small boat, that gets tossed about, weathering the storms of the world, and us as the disciples in the boat...do we act in faith, or do we act in fear? As members of the Jesus Movement, let us strive to act in faith...trusting that Jesus will still the storm while we stay the course.
Over the years, the little boat of the church has encountered storms and waves beyond imagination...storms that even faithful Christians feel are capable of swamping the boat...
Clergy marching for civil rights in Selma, Alabama
Ordination of the "Philadelphia Eleven" in the Episcopal Church, 1974
Oscar Romero, who paid the ultimate sacrifice while championing God's liberating grace
Dorothy Day, who believed the Beatitudes were more than just a polite suggestion
Consecration of Gene Robinson, first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, 2003
Papal reformers John XXIII and Francis
Clergy marching during Ferguson Summer, 2014
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