the church of the
ascension
in the city of
new york
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 24
Psalm 97 / Jeremiah 17:19-27 / John 6:16-27
"It is I; be not afraid," Jesus says to his terrified disciples as he walks across the turbulent sea and steps into their small craft. This episode, from the Gospel of John and described with an economy of means, has come down to us as one of the archetypal miracles of the Jesus story. It shows Jesus, defying natural law, joining his followers to offer them comfort and protection.
In Psalm 97 we are presented with a stern and ferocious lord, described to us in detailed visual terms. He is surrounded by clouds and darkness; a fire proceeds him and burns up all his enemies; he melts mountains like wax.
Finally, in Jeremiah, the lord gives a strict admonition not to work or carry any burden on the Sabbath day. If it is observed, then kings and princes shall enter the gates and the city shall remain forever. But if disobeyed, a "fire will be kindled" and "shall devour the palaces" and "not be quenched."
As we navigate our small crafts through the great river of life, watching as a political and economic firestorm melts our palaces of commerce like mountains of wax and threatens our established social order with anarchy, it might be comforting to keep in our minds an image of Jesus, walking towards us across a storm-tossed sea, urging us not to be afraid, as he lightly steps into our little boat and stirs us towards dry ground.
— Matthew Snow
"It is I; be not afraid," Jesus says to his terrified disciples as he walks across the turbulent sea and steps into their small craft. This episode, from the Gospel of John and described with an economy of means, has come down to us as one of the archetypal miracles of the Jesus story. It shows Jesus, defying natural law, joining his followers to offer them comfort and protection.
In Psalm 97 we are presented with a stern and ferocious lord, described to us in detailed visual terms. He is surrounded by clouds and darkness; a fire proceeds him and burns up all his enemies; he melts mountains like wax.
Finally, in Jeremiah, the lord gives a strict admonition not to work or carry any burden on the Sabbath day. If it is observed, then kings and princes shall enter the gates and the city shall remain forever. But if disobeyed, a "fire will be kindled" and "shall devour the palaces" and "not be quenched."
As we navigate our small crafts through the great river of life, watching as a political and economic firestorm melts our palaces of commerce like mountains of wax and threatens our established social order with anarchy, it might be comforting to keep in our minds an image of Jesus, walking towards us across a storm-tossed sea, urging us not to be afraid, as he lightly steps into our little boat and stirs us towards dry ground.
— Matthew Snow
