Asleep on a Cushion

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ Mark 4:35-41

Mark portrays some of the more human aspects of Jesus' life. His going home and falling asleep in a boat are just two. He was at home on the water and the rocking brought sleep on easily after the press of the crowd. He was human and exhausted. We all know that experience. And we know the panic that the disciples felt when the boat was swamping, and they thought they were going down. It can feel as if Jesus is asleep when are lives are crashing, sinking and swallowed up by the storm. We are invited to remember that Jesus did more than just wake up and help. Jesus took control of the wind and the waves, bringing peace and calm to the scared disciples. It can feel as if Jesus is asleep when we are sinking. May we trust that peace and calm are on the horizon. 

Gracious Creator, we are living in this fragile vessel

the seas are rough and gale force winds attack us

but you, Lord of love, abide with us, in these storms.

We are torn apart by the fears of sinking and drowning

bills are due and we never have enough and are broken

help us, Lord, to turn to you when we are most alone.

Lord Jesus, help us to wake up to the needs around us

let the love you've given help us to live in peace

and may we trust you are with us in all our storms. Amen.