We’re reminded of that time-worn story about two sets of footprints on the beach: when the writer couldn’t walk farther, Jesus carried her. Recent times have brought much anxiety, especially when we wonder if our daily life will ever look like it once did. Many of us have tossed and turned and asked if God has moved away; our late-night terrors sneer at us and tell us that there’s nothing left. Has the sky fallen? Has such wide-spread despair ever happened before?
The story of Joseph’s arrogance and brotherly comeuppance is read in Genesis 37, focusing on verses 12 to 28. The reason for the story is to keep the narrative flowing, to explain how the Children of Abraham got to Egypt and to set up the Exodus, the central foundation of Israel. The Story Teller could make a case for mercy and good intentions as the brothers decided not to kill Joseph; implied here is a sense of a Divine Hand in the whole proceeding.
Paul’s writings in Romans 10:5-15 continue his attempts to speak logic into illogical material. This text quotes liberally from Deuteronomy 30, reminding the reader that “the word is near you, on your lips and in your heart”. Paul is exhorting the Roman audience to live actually believing in Christ, more than an intellectual affirmation such as one would make about the Emperor. And the good news is that this is all-inclusive: “EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. This concludes with the admonition to be a Christ-bearer with this welcome message.
Matthew’s Gospel narrative is the story of Jesus walking on the water–included in Mark and John, where it lacks the foray of Peter attempting to join him. The storm-blown disciples are tired & discouraged, which may in a way explain their fright. Yet just when they need saving most, here he came–not around the tempest, but right through it! Peter was OK until he acknowledged the ferocity of the wind ‘n’ waves; then he remembered that he couldn’t do this–and sure enough, he couldn’t! Happy ending, though: Jesus kept Peter afloat despite his vacillation, and calmed the head-winds which had so distressed the others.
Perhaps these can be encouraging words to church-folk desperate to hear that God is still in town. Perhaps these can still my desolations of the wee hours in my gloomy bedroom. And perhaps these passages will speak courage to the world which feels that the current malevolence is worse than it’s ever been. Through it all, “Jesus is Lord”! And he’s closer than you think…
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
My journey through the storms of scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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