² One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, ²³ and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. ²⁴ They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵ He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” Luke 8:22-25

“Who is this?” the disciples ask. They have observed Jesus for some time now, and have witnessed many wonderful events, and listened to his teaching. Yet, in the midst of yet another obstacle, a storm at sea, they witness another of the mysteries that swirl around Jesus – here it is the seemingly mastery over the wind and the water. It would not help them solve who Jesus is, but it would confirm that he is something unlike anything they had seen or heard before.  

Why is it that sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees?  Why is it that we can’t see clearly what is right in front of us? Is it because reality sometimes seems more difficult to justify than fiction or fantasy? Is it that the disciples see incredible events happen right in front of them and they have no other explanation except to think that it can’t be real? Or, simply put, is it our humanness that clouds out acceptance of the divine at work in our lives? Are you still unsure who Jesus is? As the local church sign reminds us all, “Come and See – Come and See.”

Pastor Dave

“Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, ² as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. Luke 8:1-3

Jesus Christ made it his business to teach a new teaching – today we call it the Gospel – the Good News of the Kingdom of G-d. Perhaps it is better to call it the “Reign of G-d”. This reign is like nothing we have ever encountered in this life – a reign that is filled with glad tidings, good news, and a new way to live and to love.

There were certain women who were among the disciples, who were among those who followed Jesus, who provided from their own resources for his disciples, and were indeed included as disciples themselves. This inclusion means that Jesus welcomed both men and women to serve, to minister, and to share out of their individual gifts. Today we make distinctions between people – distinctions among gender, race and culture – Jesus makes no such distinctions in the Kingdom of G-d.

Everyone is welcome in the Kingdom of G-d – and every disciple is welcome in the mission field.

Pastor Dave