Sleep In The Boat
St Paul says, “In all things, grow up into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15 EHV) St John says, “In this world we are just like Jesus. (1 John 4:17 EVH) Dietrick Haddon says, “Be like Jesus.” YouTube The question is which Jesus?
I think, sometimes, I want to be the Jesus asleep in the boat. (Luke 8:22-25) At least the Sunday School lesson Jesus asleep in the boat. You know the story: Jesus is in the back of a boat, sleeping; a storm comes up on the lake, the disciples freak out, wake up Jesus, and he calms the storm. Then he chews out the disciples for their lack of faith.
I want to be Jesus the fixer. Come to me frantically, show me the problem, let me work my magic, and now I can show my superiority over you and pretty much ask why you needed to bother me in the first place. Yes, that’s the Jesus I want to be. Now, can I get back to sleep?
You do not know how much I am tempted to end this devotion right there. Let you ruminate over the proper Sunday School response of having enough faith to let Jesus take care of everything. However, I believe you would just go back to sleep. I would go back to sleep.
That would make a good end point also.
The goal is that we would no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, when people use tricks and invent clever ways to lead us astray. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we would in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. From him the whole body, being joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows in accordance with Christ’s activity when he measured out each individual part. He causes the growth of the body so that it builds itself up in love.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4&version=EHV>
We also have come to know and trust the love that God has for us. God is love. Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this way his love has been brought to its goal among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are just like Jesus. There is no fear in love, but complete love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who continues to be afraid has not been brought to the goal in love.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4&version=EHV>
Back to Jesus in the boat. John says you are Jesus. The boat, says Paul, is the body of believers: the Church, being tossed by the waves. Both apostles say we grow, lead, and continue in love. Love from, through, in, and because of Jesus. The Church is in a storm. The Church brings love to those in fear. The Church grows and is built up in love. As a congregation, Jesus is calling us to wake up!
Wake Me Up When September Ends
– Steve Skiver