Lent: 3/13/09
March 13, 2009
Genesis 43:1-5
1 Corinthians 7:1-9
Mark 4:35-41
“ There Is No Substitute”
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 4:41
Why do we try so hard to domesticate Jesus? Why do we try to make Jesus safe and cuddly? The Gospels show us again and again that Jesus is in control and not to be controlled. The Jesus of Scripture was powerful and surprising, yet we present him as timid and tame?
Do we really want a wimpy Messiah? Do we want a God who can be manipulated and controlled by our every whim? Sometimes we think we do. Sometimes what we really seem to desire is a genie that we can invoke and command to grant our every wish. But when the storms of life come nothing but a mighty Savior will do. There is no substitute for the One that speaks and the wind and sea obey!
Today we meditate on encountering Christ on His terms as he really is. This is not a projection of our better selves. He is the Lion of Judea, King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is not safe. He is not predictable. He cannot be controlled, manipulated, or bribed. But he is loving, kind, good, and mighty to save.
Let us Pray…
Speak O Lord,
the word that calms the seas and winds that rage within us.
Speak once more,
the words that bring order to chaos and something from nothing.
Speak to our hearts,
the words that bring awe and peace.
Speak to our world,
the words that redeem and sustain.
Speak O Lord,
we are listening. Amen.
