But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
Knowing the Man You're With by Cathy Vinson |
In reading Matthew, Jesus has just
clarified the cost of following Him...a guaranteed no dwelling and the immediacy of
leaving even the service of a deceased father. There is something foreign and serious that
starts gripping us as we "leave." We relentlessly pull out the stakes and roots
of support that have been sewn into a commmunity. Now who we are hemmed into becomes more
in focus. These are the ones also going forward, followers (a+koloutheo = union, likeness
to + in the way). The first steps into the wobbly boat brings more reality to the departure. You're entering and you're getting stuck. You've cut everything from shore, and the surrounding water decides for you that there is no escape. You now look upon who you have shut yourself into. Who are you with? These strong senses come to bear out in a relocation. It's now you, your spouse(?), your children(?). Who are these people you are setting off with? You're finding out. To their honor an obvious silence surrounds the Disciples who entered the boat. It simply says they "followed Him" (vs 23). No clamoring or protesting from them nor applause from the onlookers. May Heaven reward them. Whatever one might fear, there is something about getting on that boat. You're on it for WHATEVER happens, and that's exactly what happened..."a furious storm came upon the lake" (vs 24). No parent, no boss, no bank account, no home, no stable ground: only Jesus. So ruthless of a lesson to teach obedient followers! But is it into such a setting that the Reward of Life only comes? What is their gain? They were WITH Jesus, closed in unto Him and the storm pressing in! They were in a prime position to see the Man. Their cost of obedience put them into such a situation to come face-to-face with Life. And there He was, the One who calms the storm...they had become stuck beyond all their sorrow to a "manner of man" (vs 27) even beyond that. |
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| "And when he was
entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest
in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And they
came to him, and awoke him, saying, Save, Lord; we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are
ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and
there was a great calm. And the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that
even the winds and the sea obey him?" (Matthew 8:23-27) |
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Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.
Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE
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