God Has Overcome

There is nothing like knowing that you know how to do something well.  That we have mastered the skill or subject area.  We know what we are doing.  We become good at what we do.  We become comfortable with who we are and what we can do.  Or at least we put energy into that, and it often matters to us, perhaps even shapes us. 

We often learn to do things well by working along side of, or under, someone else who knows how to do something well.  The disciples of Jesus were invited into this kind of relationship with Jesus - an opportunity to watch, listen, learn how to do and live His way.  Many of them came to this, however, with areas of skill and expertise they had already developed in other areas.  Fishermen.  Financial management.  Public service.  Experts in their own way, coming to learn from "The" expert. 

In the story we reflect on this week, there is a unique intersection of one kind of expertise with another.  These disciples of Jesus, who are very much learners there - step into a situation where they felt competent and skilled - managing a boat on the sea.  They can handle this.  This is what they are good at.  They go after it.  Jesus goes to sleep.

But then the storm hits, and things begin to go sideways on them.  They are working in their area of expertise, and yet things are not going well.  The intensity increases.  The anxiety builds.  Jesus continues to sleep.  And the story unfolds.  

This is the story that Scott Jones invites us to reflect upon this morning, as we find ourselves, and  perhaps Jesus as well, in what happens.  If you would like to listen to the sermon once again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here.

(You can access the live stream version of he service by clicking here)