Storm Preps

I Peter 4:1, Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind

Christians will find themselves in storms, in impossible states, and at stations/terminals/ends.

Mark 4:35 – a horrific storm, and the boat is filling – “Do You not care…?”

God asleep or indifferent?

Mark 5:1 – in a hopeless and helpless state of life – alone, addicted and angry

God missing or distant?

Luke 3:20 and 7:12-15 dead raised, 7:18- facing the station, the terminal of life – facing death

God unfaithful or failing?

Mary of Martha – John 11 and the death of her brother – a patriarchal system without a man made life very, very hard.  The sisters called for Jesus and He didn’t make it in time.

God came – late!

Martha was frustrated with God – believed in God, that God can do great things, but He had failed here.

Mary bowed and noted His greatness.

Jesus groaned and wept – then raised Lazarus from the dead!

A few months later (John 12)…

Jesus arrived Friday at sundown to observe the Sabbath with Lazarus, Martha and Mary.

Saturday evening Martha and Mary put on a special supper to honor Jesus and their once dead, now living, brother Lazarus.

In the midst of the event, Mary came to Jesus and anointed His feet with a very costly perfume and wiped them with her hair – Judas was angered.

Jesus told all to leave her alone for she was preparing Him for death – NOT to be King!

And how is it that Mary knew what was just over the horizon and why is it that Mary’s faith brought life to the dead?

Luke 10:38-39, Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.

Mary sat at His feet paying close attention and picked up what He was laying down.

You want resurrection power?  You want victories for loved ones?  You want to have hope in a future about to bring disaster?  Can you love and bless God when He is not doing things your way or the way most Christians expect?

Back to John in prison…

Matthew 11:2-3, And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

John… Jesus’ cousin, had been called by God, greatly used by God as a herald for Jesus (Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world!), and was a voice of truth in the face of powerful evil (told Herod, “you are sinning by marrying her”)… questioned Jesus.

How is it that Jesus had not visited?  How is it that Jesus was not petitioning for his release?  How is it that Jesus was not speaking about this gross injustice?  How is that Jesus seemed to not care?  Was Jesus the promised son of David – a great shepherd of sheep?  He wasn’t acting like it!

And to John’s doubt and question, Jesus told followers to report to him what was happening:
Matthew 11:4-5, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”  Answers to doubts were found in what was heard and in what Jesus was doing!

And back to the horrific storm – “BE Still!” – and immediately there was a GREAT calm!

And to the demonic – “Away!” – and the man was clothed, calm and in his right mind.

So, for the storms – for the very ominous states, the seemingly helpless – for the end station, the terminal, death – prepare NOW by sitting at Jesus’ feet!  Hear Him!  Know Him!  He can and He does – nothing is too hard!!!