Sometimes Jesus gets grouchy.
by Mike Baughman
Gospel Reading: Mark 4:35-41
For Sunday, June 24, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 12
For most pastors, this is an easy Sunday. They flip open to Mark 4, see that this is the story of God calming the storm. They think of the metaphorical storms in congregants’ lives and tweak up their best “Jesus can calm the storm in your life” sermon.
It’s a good sermon and a good message. If that’s the sermon you want to preach, go for it. Feel free to ignore what I write below.
Jesus is Kind of a Jerk
I’ve spent some time sailing—I’ve been trapped in the midst of a sudden storm with swells as big as the boat I was in. It’s scary…like I’m glad I was wearing a bathing suit scary because it makes the pee a lot less noticeable. If my sailing partner had been napping at the time, I sure as hell would have woken her up!
Still, I’m not bagging on Jesus. I can relate. The disciples might have just been waking up Jesus to grab a bucket and start bailing water from the boat. I get pretty grouchy when people wake me up and want something from me, but I’m not sure the disciples deserve this kind of treatment.
“All hands on deck,” as they say!
Or Maybe He Isn’t
When Jesus calls the disciples cowards, we tend to assume that he is chastising them for waking Jesus up and not believing that they would be fine. But throughout the whole Bible, God’s people have called upon the Lord for help. Countless strangers have called upon Jesus for help. Why can’t his disciples do likewise—even if it’s just to hand Jesus a bucket?
What if all the disciples expected out of Jesus was to bail water with a bucket? It’s pretty clear they didn’t expect Jesus to calm the winds. What if Jesus is offended that they don’t assume that he has the power to command the wind? What if the disciples don’t wet their pants until they see Jesus calm the winds?
What if it’s his power that frightens them and not the storm?
Mediocre or Miraculous?
I’m totally guilty of this…of handing bailing buckets to God when what God really wants to do is calm the storm. When doing pastoral care, I so often find myself praying for manageable goals instead of miracles. When I pray for the ministry I share, I pray for goals that can be attainable by a team of people and not for goals that are attainable by a group of people who have been empowered by GOD!
Sometimes I hand bailing buckets to Jesus because I don’t have faith—not because I’m weak but because I can remember so many storms that Jesus slept right on through. Sometimes I hand a bucket to Jesus because I don’t want to be disappointed when the winds continue to blow.
Sometimes I hand bailing buckets to Jesus because miracles are scary. Anyone who stares in the face of God and does not cower a bit is a fool. Miracles simultaneously humble and raise the bar of reasonable expectations for what we can accomplish in the name of God.
The Hardest Question(s)
What cowardly prayers have you offered up to God?
What miracles should you be praying for?
What will you do if Jesus sleeps through the storm?
The Rev. Mike Baughman is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, working on a new church start /coffee house in Dallas, TX. He is the co-author of one book and has contributed to a long list of books, curricula, resources and research. He also trains and consults with churches non-profits and small businesses on social media and how it can be used to help their work and ministry. He lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife (also a pastor) and four kids. You can learn more about him at www.mikebaughman.com , follow him on twitter @ireverant and read his blog, ireverant.wordpress.com
