Ridin' the Storm out

Zero Dark Thirty

“I would much rather be in here wishing I was out there than out there wishing I was in here.”

A crusty sea captain spoke those words to me at a marina one very early morning. At Zero Dark Thirty, the wisdom went right over my young head. Instead, I was ticked.

It was the early eighties. I was in this coastal North Carolina village on assignment from a local TV station to shoot a story on marlin fishing. I had visions of video filled with screaming reels, excited anglers, and massive fish leaping out of the sea.

Taking No Chances

His words made it clear it was NOT happening today. This old salt was taking no chances with the weather. The forecast called for a possibility of scattered squalls and high seas. Rather take the chance today, he would wait until tomorrow.

Years later, I’ve thought about this charter boat captain’s words of warning whenever I read the story of Jesus and His boys getting caught in a nasty storm one night on the Sea of Galilee. Instead of ridin’ the storm out with Jesus if they wished they never went out in the first place.

Take a Boat Ride with Jesus

Ever imagine what was it like to be in the boat with Christ and His crew? Thanks to John Mark, we can experience it for ourselves two thousand years later. The writer of the second Gospel gives us such a vivid account that we might as well be along for the ride (Mk 4:35-41).

As a matter of fact, Mark’s version of the story is one of three we find in the New Testament. Both Matthew and Luke give us their perspective of this wild boat ride (Mt 8:23-27; Lk 8:22-25). But I admit being partial to Mark's description.

Pete’s Story of Jesus

Why? Because the early followers of Jesus believed the source of Mark’s bio of Jesus is actually none other than the Apostle Peter. Is there a better eyewitness than the dude our Savior selected to lead the original Dirty Dozen before heading home to heaven?

Long before Jesus nicknames him Rocky, Simon and his kid brother Andrew were commercial fishermen on the Sea of Galilee (Mk 1:16-17). Why not get the story of the midnight squall on the water from a guy who made his living on this lake?

It’s Been a Long Day

Before we board the boat, let’s back up just a bit. Jesus has just spent a big chunk of the day teaching a big crowd on the beach. The audience is so large that He actually speaks from a small craft so that crowd won’t crush Him (Mk 4:1).

It’s been a long day. A VERY long day. As the sun goes down, Jesus tells His posse it’s time to leave. “On that day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side’” (v35).

One Forecast You Can Count on

Don’t miss the point that this boat ride is Jesus’ idea. He’s the one who wants to set sail. As God in the flesh, I’m betting He knows EXACTLY what’s about to go down. He knows the forecast better than the National Weather Service.

We also have the benefit of reading ahead and seeing Christ has a divine appointment with demon-possessed guy in a graveyard on the far side of the Sea of Galilee (Mk 5:1-20). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

It’s Been a Busy Day

A quick thought runs through my head as they shove off from the shoreline. It’s the end of a busy day. You’ve gotta figure Jesus is worn out. He may be the Son of God but He’s also fully human. You can bet His team is also tired.

Is it just me or does trouble seem to come when we’re the most tired? Early in the morning after a couple cups of coffee, I’m ready to take on the world. Bring it on, baby. But after a long hard day, I cooked and can’t wait to kick back on the couch.

Invariably, we get blindsided when our tank is on “E.” I may believe I’m bulletproof before noon but nighttime is my Kryptonite. The old saying is true, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Even crusty commercial fishermen.

Not Alone on the Lake

As the sun sets on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples “took Jesus in the boat and started out” (v36). Remember, the Lord was already aboard when He was teaching. It made for a nifty exit strategy when the day is done.

Mark then drops a detail we don’t find in Matthew or Luke. They aren’t alone on the lake. They may be the first ones to leave but “other boats followed” (v36). We’ll soon see there’s one huge difference between the disciples’ dingy and the rest of the fleet. They had Jesus on board. He’s going to come in VERY handy.

A Lake below Sea Level

A little geography lesson would probably help us at this point. While we call it the Sea of Galilee, it’s actually a large freshwater lake in the northern part of Israel. The lake is 13 miles long, seven miles wide, 150 feet deep, and full of fish.

The thing that makes it unique is that it sits 680 feet below sea level. That makes the Sea of Galilee the lowest body of freshwater in the world. The surrounding mountains rising 2,000 feet above sea level exaggerate that.

An Explosive Atmosphere

It’s not hard to imagine the beautiful scene. A couple of dozen boats setting sail on the lake at sunset. The soft orange light of the late day sun illuminates the water, the ships, and the surrounding mountains.

There’s just one little problem. The lake’s drastic topography also makes for an explosive meteorological atmosphere. Winds howl through the mountain gorges and hit the moist lake air triggering violent storms, especially from May to October.

Strong storms pop up out with little warning on these waters. When that happens, you’d rather be in here wishing you were out there than out there wishing you were in here.

A Sudden Squall

And wouldn’t you know it, that’s EXACTLY what happens that night. “But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water” (v37). 

Mark uses a Greek word for “storm” (Gr. λαιλαψ/lailaps) that describes a squall, windstorm, whirlwind, or sudden and violent gusts of wind. It was also one of the first century terms for a hurricane.

It’s a Mega-Storm

If that’s not scary enough for you, the author says this sudden squall is also “fierce.” Check out the word here. It’s μεγας/megas. You don’t have to be a Greek scholar to see we’re talking about a sudden mega-storm.

It’s easy to see why Mark is famous for his vivid descriptions. Remember, he’s passing along Pete’s first person account…and the Rock was rockin’ in the boat with the boys in the storm!

Big Waves

Let’s just say things escalate quickly as they set sail. Before you know it, “high waves were breaking into the boat” (v37). Just how high? There have been reports in the 1990s of ten foot waves on the lake. Some historians record wave heights of 20 feet.

Archaeologists’ examinations of a so-called “Jesus boat” from the First Century tell us the sides of the small ship were about four feet high. It doesn’t take much imagination to see a wave big enough to break over the hull and swamp the boat.

The Weather Starting Getting Rough

So just to recap, the winds are howling. It’s raining sideways. Waves are breaking into the boat. Water covers your sandals. You can barely see your hand in front of your face. Scary enough for you?

You won’t find the theme from “Gilligan’s Island” in any church hymnal but I can’t help but think of those lyrics at this point. “The weather starting getting rough. The tiny ship was tossed.” But instead of “the courage of the fearless crew," Jesus’ followers are freaking out!

That’s a big surprise considering that of the handful of boats caught in the storm, there’s is different from the rest. At least four of them (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) are commercial fishermen (Mk 1:16, 19). And there’s a good chance Thomas and Nathanael are as well (Jn 21:1-3).

The Lord on Board

If that’s not enough, the Lord is on board! Shouldn’t that always be the trump card for those of us who are His followers? Shouldn’t His simple presence in our lives give us peace when everything hits the fan?

It should. But in reality, it doesn’t. At least for me, not at first. Despite my faith in Christ, I can almost always count on a few moments of panic at the first signs of a storm. But it’s not long before His Holy Spirit grabs me by the shoulders and calms me down.

Our Snoozing Savior

While the boys are freaking out, the Son of God is grabbing some shuteye near the stern. “Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion” (v28). Remember, this has been a VERY long day for the Lord.

Our snoozing Savior is a great reminder of His humanity. The God Man isn’t Superman disguised as Clark Kent just pretending to be mortal. He gets tired. He needs sleep. The day Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, He was “tired from the long walk” (Jn 4:6).

Don’t You Care?

The Son of God isn’t asleep for long. “The disciples woke Him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?’” (v38). It’s their way of saying, “If You REALLY cared about us, You would be awake and paying attention!!”

Come on. Admit it. We’ve all been there. We’ve all felt like God wasn’t paying attention. Even worse, that He doesn’t care. The boys ask almost the same question Martha did when she was mad about her slacker sister’s unwillingness to help. “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” (Lk 10:40 emphasis added).

We're NEVER Alone

Yes, actually, He does care. He cares VERY much. It’s the whole reason He left the heavenly palace and came to our sin-filled planet to save us. If not, He wouldn’t be in the boat with His crew in the first place.

Same for us. We may be in the middle of the scariest storm. But we’re NEVER really alone. Jesus is ALWAYS with us. He’s ALWAYS in our boat. He is the God who is with us (Mt 1:23). The God who is ALWAYS with us (Mt 28:20). Even in the storm. ESPECIALLY in the storm.

Yelling at the Storm

“When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’” (v39). Can you picture Christ rubbing His eyes and then yelling…not at His disciples…but the STORM?!?

Give that a try the next time you want the weather to change. Go outside and yell at the rain, the wind, the heat, and the fog and see what happens. Let’s face it, most of us struggle to keep the thermostat at the right setting. Forget controlling the weather.

The Boss in the Boat

But not Jesus. Nature listens to its Maker. Mark describes how the Son of God actually rebukes the squall. We can translate the original language as “put the wind and waves in their place.” The creation submits to the Creator. Settle down, storm. The Boss is in the boat.

Jesus screams into the storm, “Silence! Be still!” (v39). We could do an extensive word study in the original language of Christ’s commands, but it’s a waste of time. Frankly, what He shouts is, “SHUT UP!!!!”

From Mega-Storm to Mega-Calm

And whattaya know, the storm shuts it down. Immediately. “Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm” (v39). In just the blink of an eye, we go from mega-storm (v37) to mega-calm. Yup, that’s right. Mark uses the same word (Gr. μεγας/megas) to describe both the storm and the silence.

For those of us who had our doubts about Jesus’ power over the thunderstorm, this is a mic drop moment. His words shut down the wind and waves. Instantly. In the blink of an eye. The gale is gone. The sea is glass. For the disciples, it's quiet. TOO quiet!

The Guys Get an Earful

Just as quickly, the Lord goes from scolding the squall to giving His guys an earful. “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v40). Apparently the scene in the storm was just a bit embarrassing.

The word Mark uses for “afraid” is δειλος/deilos. It means cowardly or showing fear in a shameful way. Other than Matthew’s version of this same story, we find this term in only one other place.

Near the end of Revelation, the risen Christ gives us the final roster of who’s headed for hell. “Cowards (Gr. δειλος/deilos), unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars” (Rev 21:8).

Fear and Faith

You may wonder why Jesus connects fear and faith. Simple. They are polar opposites of each other. A lot of us think doubt is the opposite of faith? But that’s not the case. Let me show you.

Fast forward a few pages in Mark’s Gospel to chapter nine. A desperate dad begs Jesus to exorcise the demon that’s tortured his son since childhood. When our He asks the man if he believes Jesus can do it, the man responds, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mk 9:24).

On this side of eternity, there’s always going to some level of doubt mixed with our trust in God. It’s okay to have questions. There’s nothing wrong with not having it all figured out. The key is taking them to Jesus and trusting He’s got it all under control. Even the stuff we doubt. ESPECIALLY the stuff we doubt.

Courageously Standing for Christ

Any time a follower of Jesus feels fear, you can take it to the bank it’s not from Him. The Apostle Paul tells his buddy Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2Tim 1:7).

When we feel weak-kneed and faint-hearted, we can be sure it’s NOT from Jesus. Remember that we have a supernatural enemy who loves to keep us cowering in the corner rather than courageously standing for Christ.

Freaked out by the Calm

Interestingly, John Mark tells us the boys in the boat are actually more freaked out about the instant calm than the violent storm. “And they were absolutely terrified. ‘Who is this Man? Even the wind and waves obey Him!’” (v41).

You see, these guys still haven’t figured out the true identity of the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. Chances are they’re getting a good idea that He may well be the Messiah. Wrapping their heads around the idea that He’s the one and only Son of God is another thing altogether.

Who is Jesus? In many ways, that’s the big theme of the first half of Mark’s Gospel (Mk 1:1-8:26). As we walk with Him, we see Him teach like no one before or since, perform jaw-dropping miracles, and even forgive sin. Is Jesus really God in the flesh? It’s the decision we all must make.

Find a Seat on the Ship

So what’s the bottom line? The words of that charter boat captain keep coming back to me. “I would much rather be in here wishing I was out there than out there wishing I was in here.” Solid advice for deep sea fishing but not so much when it comes to faith.

That’s because everything changes once Jesus is in the boat. Remember, all of the boats were in the storm but only one of them had Jesus! Am I in the right boat? Have I placed my trust in Christ? If not, now is a GREAT time to find a seat on the ship.

Anything but Boring

With our Savior onboard, I’m going to rephrase the old sea captain’s statement. I would rather be in the storm with Jesus than in the calm without Him. One big reason is that God doesn’t call us to safe.

Following the Lord is anything BUT boring! He does give us His peace in the storm. As the song says, “Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child.”

The Storm IS Coming

The other reason is that the storm IS coming. Things may be peaceful and serene now. But I promise you, it’s only temporary. The storm is coming. You may not see it, but it’s on the way.

You know the kind of sudden tornados life throws at us. The scary diagnosis from the doctor. Your spouse announces they’re leaving. Your child has an eating disorder. You get downsized. You face financial collapse and bankruptcy. Wrestling with whether to move your parent into retirement home.

The Calm Won’t Last

Oh, the storms are coming. This is one forecast we can guarantee. One hundred percent chance. Remember, the calm won’t last. But Jesus always will.

That’s why I would rather be ridin' the storm out with Jesus than in the calm without Him.

©2017

Jay Jennings

A Micro Start with a Mega Finish

Small Things with Big Impact

It’s so easy to dismiss anything teeny weeny. There’s no way anything minuscule can make more than a ripple in history.

But the truth is sometimes the smallest things have the biggest impact. Don’t believe me? Take the Big Bang. No, I’m NOT talking about the TV sitcom nerd fest.

The Big Bang

Disclaimer: I’m not a scientist and have never played on TV. I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. And I’m neither endorsing nor dismissing the idea of the Big Bang as a part of God’s Creation. Just using it as an example. Are we good?

Many scientists believe the entire universe started from what they call a “singularity.” That’s their name for the jam-packed collection of all the star stuff squeezed into a microscopic, itty bitty ball.

Suddenly something (or shall we say, SOMEONE) pulled the trigger. BANG!! The next you know, we have the universe. It’s a micro start with a mega finish.

A Tiny Start with a Tremendous Ending

While Jesus isn’t teaching a lesson in astrophysics back in first century Galilee, He does use that same idea to describe what His Father is up to (Mk 4:30-34). Christ wants His listeners to understand God’s Kingdom may start tiny but it will certainly end tremendously.

In doing so, our Savior uses a word picture and compares God’s Kingdom to a eensy-weensy seed. It doesn’t look like much in the beginning. Just a speck. Easy to dismiss. Easy to ignore. But when it’s all said and done, you’re gonna need to step back.

This deal is blowing up! God’s Kingdom is the Biggest Bang. It may have a micro start but it’s guaranteed to have a mega finish.

Zooming Out

Before we pull out the microscope for a look at something minuscule, we need to zoom out to get a little context to what’s about to go down. First of all, we’re reading from one of the four bios of Jesus we call the Gospels.

A dude named John Mark wrote this particular one. While Mark gets the credit, early disciples of the Lord were totally convinced the author’s actually passing along Peter’s eyewitness account of the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. Don’t know if you’ve heard, but this guy Pete had a front row seat to see the Savior.

Buckle Your Seatbelt!

Mark’s Gospel is a non-stop, rapid fire, buckle-your-seatbelt, action story. He wastes no time and cuts to the chase. The best example? He uses some form of the Greek word (Gr. ευθυς/euthos)  we translate “immediately,” “suddenly,” or “right away” more than 40 times. (Sadly, the NLT drops the ball quite a bit on this.)

A Quick Recap

Here’s a quick recap of Mark’s story of Jesus to this point. Christ shows up to be baptized and both the Father and Spirit are there to celebrate (Mk 1:9-11). He immediately heads out into the desert on an empty stomach where He stares down the devil (Mk 1:12-13).

Jesus then starts building the team He’ll use to change the world (Mk 1:16-20; 2:13-14). His choices seem rather…um…questionable. The Lord blows the minds of church goers by teaching like they’ve never heard before. And that’s not all. He also miraculously heals diseases and regularly punches demons in the throat (Mk 1:21-2:12; 3:5-6).

Because He’s working outside the religious establishment, the boys at the Hebrew home office get their undies in a bundle. As a result, they look for all sorts of ways to shut Jesus down (Mk 2:5-6, 15-18, 24; 3:1-6, 22). And if that’s not bad enough, His own family thinks He’s off His rabbinical rocker (Mk 3:21, 31).

Everyday Items and Eternal Truth

We pick up the scene with Jesus teaching a massive audience alongside a big lake known as the Sea of Galilee. Attendance is so large, He actually speaks from a boat to make sure the crowd doesn’t crush Him (Mk 4:1-2).

Christ reaches into His toolbox and pulls out His favorite teaching tool. The parable. It’s a simple word story to help people understand complicated ideas. He does so by using everyday items to unpack eternal truth (Mk 4:1-29). Lamps. Baskets. Beds. Soil. Seeds. Yeah, lots and lots of seeds.

A Couple of Questions

Jesus wraps up His sermon by actually asking the crowd a couple of questions. “How would I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?” (v30). He’s looking for a way to describe God’s rule and reign in the universe. Hmm. Let’s see. How can we do this?

Why in the world would the Christ ask His listeners a question? I mean, He IS God in the flesh after all. Of all people, He certainly knows how to explain the Kingdom of God it would be the Son of God, right? You betcha.

Stirring the Pot

My guess is that Jesus is looking for a way to connect with His audience. Think of it as a shrewd example of audience participation. He’s stirring the mental pot and wants them fully involved in the discussion. His questions get the listeners thinking.

What a great lesson for anyone and everyone who speaks or teaches. Sure, you could yammer on constantly. But if you’re not careful, eyes glaze over and minds wander. Why not borrow a page from the Lord’s playbook? Ask a question. Make folks think. Keep them involved. Are you tracking with me?

Revolt in the Heavenly Kingdom

In this particular case, Jesus gets them thinking about the idea of God’s Kingdom. It’s one of the big ideas of Mark’s Gospel with a grand total of 14 mentions (Mk 1:15; 4:11, 26, 30; 9:1, 47; 10:14, 15, 23, 24, 25; 14:25; 15:43).

We can understand the Kingdom of God from two perspectives. One is His divine authority over the universe. Our first parents jacked the whole thing up by turning their backs on God’s goodness in the garden (Gen 3:1-7). He’s still in charge but now He has a revolt on His hands.

The First Shots of the Revolution

The other point of view of His Kingdom is in our hearts. Each of us carries that very same rebellion we see in Adam and Eve. How bad is it? God tells Jeremiah that there’s nothing more deceitful and wicked than the human heart (Jer 17:9).

Like Fort Sumter in the Civil War, Eden is the scene of the first shots of the revolution. God let us have our way. But don’t get the idea that He simply rolled over like some sort of divine doormat. Let’s just say, God is playing the long game.

Search-and-Rescue

He had a plan to not just win the war but win us back. He would send His very own Son on the ultimate search-and-rescue mission. The universe has never seen anything like it before or since.

The Son of God would take on human form (Jn 1:14). He would live the life of obedience we’ll failed to live. He would die the death for our rebellion we should have died. He would rise to new life that we don’t deserve.

A Ridiculous Act of Grace

In this ridiculous act of grace, Jesus transforms us from God’s enemies into family members (Rom 5:10; Col 1:21-22). He trades us His sinless obedience for our rebellion (2Cor 5:21). A man named Martin Luther labels this the Great Exchange. That seems to be the understatement of eternity.

Through Christ, God is bringing back the glory of His Kingdom, both in the universe and in our hearts. Jesus began the process with His first appearance a couple of thousand years ago. He’ll drop the mic on the whole deal when He returns for encore we call the Second Coming.

Thy Kingdom Come

It’s like those words Christ taught His disciples about prayer that we have mindlessly mumbled countless times. It’s one of those verses burned into our brains in the King Jimmy version of the Bible. “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10 KJV).

God’s eventually will answer that prayer. He will bring back His Kingdom from heaven. To the earth. To the entire universe. And into our sinful, rebel hearts.

The Humble Mustard Seed

You would think cataclysmic change like that would begin with a breathtaking beginning. Nope. Not even close. Jesus says it’s just the opposite. “It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds” (v31).

Ah, the humble mustard seed. It’s one of our Savior’s go-to illustrations. He uses it at least different two other times. He says even the dinkiest faith in God’s power can replant trees (Lk 17:6) and move mountains (Mt 17:20).

A Common Example

Before any horticulturist blows a gardening gasket, I know the mustard seed is NOT the actually the smallest. So just step off. First century teachers loved using the mustard seed as common example of anything teeny tiny.

We do the same today. Phrases like “take it with a grain of salt” or “as small as a mouse.” The seed of the black mustard plant is minuscule in comparison to that of any other Palestinian plant.

A Microscopic Start

How infinitesimal is this seed? The word we translate “smallest” is Greek term μικρος/mikros. It’s where we get “mirco.” So it comes as no surprise that it means little, tiny, insignificant, and even lowly or unimportant.

God’s first move for His Kingdom is microscopic. It’s small. Unnoticed. Inconspicuous. Look closely and check out a few examples just how small throughout Scripture.

Unexpected Choices

First of all, Yahweh picks the Hebrews as His own people. But it wasn’t because they had any great resume or stood out from the crowd. He tells them, “You were the smallest of nations” (Dt 7:7).

When selecting a human king to rule His people, God doesn’t draft the biggest and baddest dude around. Just the opposite. He has His eyes on the kid brother shepherd boy (1Sam 16:1-13).

Under the Shadow of Rome

Flip over to the New Testament and He follows the same M.O. God sends His Son as a baby to an unwed teenager and her blue collar boyfriend (Lk 1:26-32; 2:1-14). A lot of babies have become kings. This is the only time a King became a Baby!

The Messiah begins His career in the boondocks of Galilee under the massive shadow of the Roman Empire. If that’s not inconspicuous enough for you, He does so as a homeless, itinerant, peasant preacher (Lk 9:58).

An Insult to the Mustard Seed?

As we mentioned before, Jesus doesn’t assemble a team of the best and brightest. He handpicks a dozen illiterate knuckleheads as His closest followers. When it comes to networking, Christ doesn’t connect with Palestinian power brokers. Instead He consistently hangs out with the dregs of society.

Even after our Savior miraculously strolls out of the cemetery, He has a grand total of about 120 frightened followers (Acts 1:15). So comparing the Kingdom of God to be as tiny as mustard seed may actually be an insult to the mustard seed!

Something Big Is Coming

But don’t be fooled by the pint-sized. Jesus reminds the lakeside crowd how radically things can and will change. “But it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade” (v32).

It’s almost impossible to see it now, but something big is coming. Something HUGE! Here’s where the mustard seed/mustard plant comparison really kicks into gear.

It Goes to 11

This particular plant towers over everything else. How big? “Largest” is actually the Greek word μεγας/megas. You see what I see? That’s right. Mega.

It describes something great, massive, important, extraordinary, mighty, outstanding or extensive. We’re talking the upper range of the scale. Or as the boys in Spinal Tap like to say, “It goes to 11.”

Growing up and Blowing up

Allow me to drop a little more garden knowledge at this point. The mustard plant may start small but has been known to grow as tall as 15 feet. While it’s not technically a tree, it’s branches are certainly is big enough for a bird’s nest.

But remember, Jesus isn’t really talking about fast growing flora. He’s painting a picture of the Kingdom of God. Rome may be running roughshod on the known world as Christ speaks. But just you wait. That all changes when God’s benevolent government grows up and blows up!

Connecting the Dots

Our Savior hints at the incredible benefits and blessings of this heavenly kingdom when it eventually “grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade” (v32). Just to make sure you’re picking up what He’s putting down, Jesus is NOT lecturing on the nesting habits of the local avian population.

Chances are, the Messiah’s audience understands something we don’t. He’s connecting the dots with ancient Jewish prophecies that picture God’s blessings to His people as providing homes for our feathered friends (Ezek 17:23; 31:6; Dan 4:21).

Bigger than Judaism

What the big crowd probably can’t wrap their head around is what that’s going to look like. Most Bible brainiacs believe Jesus is alluding to God’s inclusion of non-Jews into His Kingdom. The result is something WAY bigger than anything Judaism could hope to contain.

As in His earlier parables, Jesus isn’t just talking about the massive expansion of God’s Kingdom in the universe. He’s also painting a picture of how big His rule and reign will extend in the hearts of His followers.

Bummed in the Beginning

I don’t about your story but my life is incredibly different now from when God first got His hands on me. While there were a some significant changes early on, I really didn’t notice much difference. Honestly, I was more than a little bummed. I thought there would be BIG changes from the get-go.

It took a while to notice anything substantial. But it began to happen when I finally trusted in the Lord as the leader of my life. I began to willingly obey His commands and do what He says. Those changes I expected from the start began to develop and flourish.

Supernatural Miracle-Gro

You could almost say it started like a tiny seed before growing bigger than I could ever imagine. Let me be clear. I’m NOT the one doing the heavy lifting! You could say Jesus is the supernatural Miracle-Gro that’s causing my spiritual growth!! And best of all, the Lord is nowhere near finished!!!

Cookies on the Bottom Shelf

Mark wraps up the Savior’s series of seaside stories like this. “Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand” (v33). That’s his way of saying Christ puts the cookies on the bottom shelf about God’s Kingdom.

I love how the Message paraphrase puts it. “With many stories like these, He presented His message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity” (v33 The Message). As a great teacher, Jesus knows His audience and meets them where they are.

A Deeper Dive

Mark wants us to know Jesus uses these spiritual metaphors as a means of teaching God’s truth wherever He goes. “In fact, in His public ministry He never taught without using parables; but afterward, when He was alone with His disciples, He explained everything to them” (v34).

Don’t miss how Christ also does a deeper dive with the Dirty Dozen. Like a good leader, He builds up those closest to Him. He unpacks. He clarifies. He explains.

Untying the Knots

A big part of what happens is that He explains everything. This is the Greek verb επιλθω/epiluo, which literally means to unloosen. His amazing message of grace is like nothing these guys have ever heard before. It’s tying their thoughts into knots.

Back in a previous millennium when I was kid, we didn’t have velcro shoes. Man, those would have been nice. I had a nasty habit of getting my shoelaces so tangled that I needed help. Fortunately, my mom was the bomb when it came to unsnarling the mess when I couldn’t.

In a similar way, Jesus unties the tangles that result from His teaching when the boys can’t do it for themselves. It’s an important way that our Savior pours into the crew who will spread the Good News once He heads back home to heaven.

It’s a Team Sport

Who are you pouring into? Who’s pouring into you? Just so you know, following Jesus is WAY more than show up at church a couple of Sundays a month. It’s being part of a smaller group of fellow believers doing life together. Trusting in Christ is a team sport.

When we connect and serve other Christ followers, it puts us into a position where God can grow us. What He’s doing in the beginning will probably seem insignificant. It will start small. Very small. Teeny weeny. Itty bitty.

Giving Grace Room to Grow

But you might want to move back. Give the grace of God plenty of room to grow…because it WILL grow! Whatever we see now is nothing compared to what His Kingdom will be.

This deal is blowing up! God’s Kingdom is the Biggest Bang. It may have a micro start but it’s guaranteed to have a mega finish.

©2017

Jay Jennings

The God of the Process

Microwaves, Lipo, and Sod

Confession time. Let me get it all on the table. Right. Now.

Give me the microwave over the crockpot any day. I would rather get liposuction than get regular exercise. Instead of reseeding my lawn, I’m going for new sod.

Our On Demand World

Get the point that I’m incredibly impatient? Whatever it is, I want it now. And really, who doesn’t? We live in an on demand world. We need lightning quick download speeds, “freaky fast” food delivery, and packages on our porch by the afternoon.

Somehow, someway, waiting has become a 21st century sin. To steal a line from some dude named Paul, that makes me the chief of the need-it-now sinners.

Slow and Steady

But in a message to His followers, Jesus teaches something completely different (Mk 4:26-29). He tells them that the progression of God’s kingdom is a slow, steady process. Most of the time, we can’t see anything happening and don’t understand what He’s doing. But in the end, He will blow our doors off.

In Need of a Hero

Before we dive into the specifics of the story, let’s take a step back to see what’s going on here in the document we call the Gospel of Mark. It’s early in Jesus’ career as Speaker/Teacher/Healer/Leader. We find Him near a large freshwater lake in Galilee, the backwater boondocks of Israel.

The time is 30 AD. The Roman Empire has an iron-fisted grip on the Jewish people in Palestine. They Hebrews are hoping against all hope that God will finally send His long-promised Messiah to punch Caesar in the throat and bring His Kingdom to full power and glory.

Could This Be the One?

Could this radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth actually be the Hero they’re waiting for? His weird, bug-eating, fur-wearing cousin sure thinks so (Mk 1:4-11). So do the demons (Mk 1:24, 34, 3:11). Jesus sure believes Himself to be the heaven-sent Messiah (Mk 1:15; 2:10, 28).

The Son of Man teaches like nobody else (Mk 1:22, 27). He performs mind-bending miracles (Mk 1:26, 34, 39, 42; 2:12; 3:5, 10-11). And the crowds! Check out these crowds (Mk 1:28, 32, 37, 45; 2:2, 13; 3:7-9, 20; 4:1)!

Jesus’ Favorite Teaching Tool

We pick up the story as our Savior speaks to another ginormous audience, one so big that He’s boarded a boat to avoid being crushed (Mk 4:1). Once again, Jesus uses His favorite teaching tool called a parable (Mk 4:2). That’s simply His way of using a metaphor about everyday stuff to explain the eternal things of God.

He opens with a word picture about seeds and soils (Mk 4:3-9). When His personal posse isn’t picking up what He’s putting down, He gives them a crash course in Parables 101 (Mk 4:10-26).

A Second Seed Story

Christ turns His attention back to the big bunch of people on the lake bank. One more time, He compares God’s Kingdom to scattering seeds. “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground” (v26).

But this time it’s a different idea. His opening illustration is about how He’s throwing seeds of the Gospel all over the place (Mk 4:3-9). The response to God’s message of forgiveness depends on the condition of the “soil” in our hearts.

Spoiler Alert!

In this second parable, Jesus explains what’s behind the shocking harvest of 30 to 100 times in fertile ground in the first story (Mk 4:8, 20). Spoiler alert…it’s NOT the farmer!! His opening word picture is about the receptivity of the hearer. This particular parable is about the unseen power of the seed, i.e. the Gospel.

In this ancient agricultural economy, the Lord loves using farming analogies. As a matter of fact, there’s yet another metaphor coming up next about the amazing growth of the mustard seed (Mk 4:30-32).

The Kingdom of God

Christ tells the crowd that this story is all about God’s Kingdom. This is a major theme in John Mark’s bio of the Son of God. He brings up the Kingdom of God a grand total of 14 times in his Gospel (Mk 1:15; 4:11, 26, 30; 9:1, 47; 10:14-15, 23-25; 12:34; 14:25; 15:43).

Just what is the Kingdom of God? Two thousand years later, it’s kinda hard for those of us living in democratic republics to understand. In the U.S., we’re responsible to elect leaders to govern. In other words, the majority of us get what we ask for.  Insert your own political wisecrack here.

One Nation under God

John MacArthur describes God’s Kingdom as His “sovereign rule over the sphere of salvation; at present in the hearts of His people (Lk 17:21), and in the future, in a literal, earthly kingdom (Rev 20:4-6).”

It’s when God has complete control and command over both the universe and the human heart. It’s the ultimate “One Nation under God.” As I take a quick look around, that’s not exactly what I see. That’s because God’s Kingdom is what theologians call the already and the not yet.

Already and Not Yet

Jesus began taking back God’s creation with His invasion in a manger. Call it Operation Incarnation. At Christmas, we celebrate the D-Day of grace. That’s the “already” part. The “not yet” of Kingdom of God won’t be 100% active until Jesus makes His spectacular comeback. If you’re like me, that can’t come a moment too soon!

But the same “already/not yet” is also happening in the hearts of Jesus’ followers. We’ve placed our trust in Him to save and lead us. There’s just one little problem. Too often we still sin. As I heard someone say once, “I haven’t really died to self but occasionally I feel a little woozy.”

On one hand, I love Jesus and trust Him completely. On the other, I consistently fail to truly follow my Lord, glorify God, and enjoy the abundant life. But God promises to finish His process in me when it’s time.

Playing the Waiting Game

Back at the lake, Christ says the farmer now plays the waiting game after planting. “Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens” (v27).

There are couple of important points the Lord makes here. One, the crops don’t shoot up overnight. It takes time. Two, the farmer really doesn’t have a clue what’s going on underground.

Watching Paint Dry

Jesus wants us to realize that the growth of God’s Kingdom is gradual, often unseen, and almost imperceptible. A glacier may seem speedy in comparison. Waiting for God’s results can be like watching paint dry.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m NOT saying it’s a bad thing. Jesus’ point is that God is all about the process. He wants us to enjoy our spiritual journey. It’s a crockpot, not a microwave. It’s exercise, not lipo. It’s seeding, not sodding. 

No Fast Forward

It’s the opposite of Adam Sandler’s movie “Click.” There’s no magic remote control that allows us to fast forward through the parts that seem boring and unimportant. You know why? They AREN’T unimportant. Okay, I admit it. Parts of life can be rather boring. But they have value in God’s process.

But here’s where my impatience kicks in. Nobody has to tell me how much God needs to change in me. My issues are obvious. So what’s the deal? Why doesn’t He simply do it right here, right now? Would a little insta-sanctification be too much to ask?

The Graveyard of Unfinished Projects

Jesus wants us to realize our spiritual growth is anything but quick. Shoot, that’s why they call it “growth.” Or as Peter writes, “You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pet 3:18, emphasis added).

We might get frustrated and think God has forgotten us like that graveyard of unfinished household projects we’ve all started but and quit. Don’t pretend that’s not you. Go ahead, admit it. There, don’t you feel better?

God Isn’t Finished with Me Yet

Paul reassures his Philippian friends that God doesn’t work that way. “And I am certain that God, who began a good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil 1:6).

So don’t get disappointed when you don’t see immediate results. In you. In others. As the old saying goes, “Be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet.” Same goes with the knucklehead who looks back at me when I shave every morning.

Reducing God to a Formula

Now let’s look at the second part of what Jesus tells the crowd. As he waits, the farmer may know what to expect at harvest time but in reality he doesn’t have a clue “how it happens” (v27).

What a powerful reminder that we need to stop our attempts to reduce God to a formula! Sure, He invites us to investigate His ways and use the brains He’s so graciously given us (Is 1:18). But we also need to remember that He’s thinking on a higher level than you and me (Is 55:8-9).

Bigger than any Box

While God has pulled back the curtain of heaven through Scripture, He’s still a mystery we can’t wrap our brains around. He’s bigger than any box I can build. Don’t forget, it was this sort of foolishness that got Job in trouble. Flip over to chapters 38-41 in Job if you’ve forgotten what happens when we demand answers from our Creator.

God Does the Heavy Lifting

Jesus goes on to tell the big crowd that the farmer may do the planting but he’s not the one doing the heavy lifting during the growing season. “The earth produces the crops on its own. First a blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens” (v28).

Christ is describing what theologians call progressive sanctification. That’s just a highfalutin term for the slow and steady process in which God conforms believers into the image of His Son (Rom 8:29; 1Jn 3:2). Did I mention slow? Remember, He’s the God of the process.

If we wait long enough, we’ll see divine results. I need to trust that God is up to something big even when I can’t see it. His Spirit specializes in working behind the scenes, quietly in the hearts and minds of Jesus’ followers.

Ready for Action?

While the farmer watches and waits, Christ says he jumps into action when the time is right. “And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come” (v29).

Has God used you to make investments of grace in the people around you? If so, be ready to roll whenever you see spiritual fruit. Paul says the crazy thing is that sometimes we plant, other times we water, and sometimes we get the honor of the harvest (1Cor 3:7-8). Why does it seem like all I do is spread fertilizer?

Peter’s Account of Christ

It’s interesting to point out that this particular parable only appears in Mark’s Gospel. Why is that big deal? Many of the earliest disciples of Jesus were sure that this biography is actually the Apostle Peter’s account of Christ’s life.

You remember our man Pete, don’t you? This hotheaded commercial fisherman named Simon was quite a longterm project for Jesus. The disciple Christ renames the Rock is anything but a rock throughout most the Gospels.

The Rock’s Wild Ride

Pete’s story is a wild ride. Calling Jesus the Christ one moment (Mt 16:16), Jesus calling him the devil the next (Mt 16:23). Denying the Lord not once, not twice, but three times when pressured by a couple of middle school girls (Mt 26:69-75).

Not exactly leader-of-the-apostles material if you ask me. Fortunately, Jesus is the One who’s at work below the surface. Our Savior will eventually transform this inconsistent, impetuous failure into the rock solid leader of the Twelve who preaches such an amazing message that 3,000 people responded to the altar call.

Fierce Faithfulness

What Jesus did in Peter, He’s still doing it today in folks like you and me. But it takes time. We’re talking days, weeks, and years. Our focus must be on fierce faithfulness, not with our finger on fast forward. 

Trust the process. Trust HIS process. He is God of the process.

So in the meantime, I need to step away from the microwave.

©2017

Jay Jennings