Project 5782 | Day 20

Teaching Well

Scripture Portion

Deuteronomy 6.4-9

⁴ Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your being and with all your might. ⁶ And these words that I charge you today shall be upon your heart. ⁷ And you shall rehearse them to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you go on the way and when you lie down and when you rise. ⁸ And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as circlets between your eyes. ⁹ And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and in your gates.

Alter, Robert. The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary. Volume 1: The Five Books of Moses, Torah. N.p.: W. W. Norton & Company: New York, 2019, pgs. 641-642

Quote from Reading

“Our older children (Jasmine and Trey) were eleven and fourteen, respectively. I was right in the midst of the storm. This was a gut check for me. Was I on the path to being a sixty-seven-year-old pastor whose grown children looked on as I resigned from a high-demand ministry position citing my desire to ‘spend more time with my family’? Would my children be filled with resentment and regret as they wondered why I didn’t think about that when it mattered? I certainly hoped not.
“But hoping wasn’t going to make it so. I had to see myself first and foremost as Bridget’s husband, and as her partner in raising, training, and launching arrows into the next generation. And then I had to simply let the rest of the pieces fall into place.”  

Baucham, Voddie, Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead Their Homes, Crossway: Wheaton, 2011, pg. 94

Provocative Language

“She was living for her family. She always sat up to ‘welcome’ you home if you were out late at night; two or three in the morning, it made no odds; you would always find that frail, pale, weary face awaiting you, like a silent accusation. Which meant of course that you couldn’t with any decency go out very often.”

Lewis, C.S., The Four Loves: An Exploration of the Nature of Love, Mariner Books: New York, 2012 edition, pg. 49

Project 5782 | Day 19

Respond in Faith
~ Sabbath Day ~

Scripture Portion

Job 37.1-13

¹ “At this also my heart trembles
and leaps out of its place.
² Keep listening to the thunder of his voice
and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
³ Under the whole heaven he lets it go,
and his lightning to the corners of the earth.
⁴ After it his voice roars;
he thunders with his majestic voice,
and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
⁵ God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
⁶ For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
⁷ He seals up the hand of every man,
that all men whom he made may know it.
⁸ Then the beasts go into their lairs,
and remain in their dens.
⁹ From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
and cold from the scattering winds.
¹⁰ By the breath of God ice is given,
and the broad waters are frozen fast.
¹¹ He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
the clouds scatter his lightning.
¹² They turn around and around by his guidance,
to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of the habitable world.
¹³ Whether for correction or for his land
or for love, he causes it to happen.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Hebrews 11.1-3, 39-40

¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

³⁹ And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

ESV

Sacrifice of Our Lips/Praise

Fruit of Our Lips

Liturgical Portion

Note: When reading the Psalm, if you are with another person or a group, the “leader” can read the first part of each verse, then pause at the * mark. The next person or the rest of the group can read the remainder of the verse after the * mark. You can also split the verses by groups, e.g., a traditional split is the men in the group will read one part of the verse and the women read the next part (another traditional split would be one side of the room and then the other side of the room).

Psalm 37

¹ Fret not yourself because of the ungodly, *
neither be envious of those who are evildoers.

² For they shall soon be dried up like the grass, *
and be withered even as the green herb.

³ Put your trust in the Lord, and do good; *
dwell in the land, and surely you shall be fed.

⁴ Delight yourself in the Lord, *
and he shall give you your heart’s desire.

⁵ Commit your way unto the Lord and put your trust in him, *
and he shall bring it to pass.

⁶ He shall make your righteousness as clear as the light *
and your just dealing as the noonday.

⁷ Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; *
do not grieve yourself over the one whose way prospers,
over the one who carries out evil counsels.

⁸ Refrain from wrath, and let go of anger; *
fret not yourself, lest you be moved to do evil.

⁹ For evildoers shall be rooted out, *
but those who wait patiently for the Lord, they shall inherit the land.

¹⁰ Yet a little while, and the ungodly shall be clean gone; *
you shall look for their place, and they shall not be there.

¹¹ But the meek-spirited shall possess the land *
and shall be refreshed with an abundance of peace.

¹² The ungodly plot against the just *
and gnash at them with their teeth.

¹³ The Lord shall laugh at them in scorn, *
for he sees that their day is coming.

¹⁴ The ungodly have drawn out the sword and have bent their bow *
to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay those who walk aright.

¹⁵ Their sword shall go through their own heart, *
and their bow shall be broken.

¹⁶ The little that the righteous has *
is better than great riches of the ungodly.

¹⁷ For the arms of the ungodly shall be broken, *
but the Lord upholds the righteous.

¹⁸ The Lord knows the days of the godly, *
and their inheritance shall endure for ever.

¹⁹ They shall not be confounded in perilous times, *
and in the days of famine they shall have enough.

²⁰ As for the ungodly, they shall perish, and the enemies
of the Lord shall be consumed as in a fiery furnace; *
even as smoke shall they vanish away.

²¹ The ungodly borrow and do not repay, *
but the righteous are merciful and generous.

²² Those who are blessed by God shall possess the land, *
but those who are cursed by him shall be rooted out.

²³ The Lord orders a man’s steps; *
he makes his footsteps sure and preserves him on his path.

²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be cast down, *
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

²⁵ I have been young, and now I am old, *
yet I never saw the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging bread.

²⁶ The righteous is ever merciful in lending, *
and his seed shall be blessed.

²⁷ Flee from evil, and do that which is good, *
and dwell in the land for ever.

²⁸ For the Lord loves that which is right; *
he forsakes not those who are godly, and they are preserved for ever.

²⁹ The unrighteous shall be punished; *
as for the seed of the ungodly, it shall be rooted out.

³⁰ The righteous shall inherit the land *
and dwell therein for ever.

³¹ The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, *
and his tongue talks of judgment.

³² The law of his God is in his heart, *
and his footsteps shall not falter.

³³ The ungodly lie in wait for the righteous *
and seek occasion to slay him.

³⁴ The Lord will not leave him in their hand, *
nor allow him to be condemned when he is judged.

³⁵ Hope in the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you
so that you shall possess the land; *
when the ungodly perish, you shall see it.

³⁶ I myself have seen the ungodly in great power, *
and flourishing like a tree in full leaf.

³⁷ I went by, and behold, they were gone; *
I sought them, but their place could nowhere be found.

³⁸ Mark the blameless, and take heed of the upright, *
for there is a future for the peaceable.

³⁹ As for the transgressors, they shall perish together, *
and the end of the ungodly is that they shall be rooted out at the last.

⁴⁰ But the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord, *
who is also their strength in the time of trouble.

⁴¹ And the Lord shall stand by them and save them; *
he shall deliver them from the ungodly and shall save them,
because they put their trust in him.

The Psalter, Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Liturgy Press: Huntington Beach, 2019, pgs. 314-316

Prayer

Prayer of Faith by Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626)

Coming unto God,
I believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him:
I know that my Redeemer liveth;
that He is the Christ the Son of the Living God;
that He is indeed the Saviour of the world;
that He came into the world to save sinners,
of whom I am chief.
Through the grace of Jesus Christ
we believe that we shall be saved
even as our fathers withal.
I believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.

[You can find more prayers by Lancelot Andrewes here.]

Project 5782 | Day 18

Empty; Yet Full

Scripture Portion

2 Corinthians 12.10

¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Quote from Reading

“Morning Tea”

Peace, it’s bliss
Sat here, just me.
As I slowly sip
My cup of tea.
Awaiting the mayhem
About to descend.
The quiet will shatter,
My calm will end.

Bhathal, Ritu, Poetic RITUals, 2016, pg. 32

Provocative Language

“À la mode”

…
I can’t explain what I feel I know
I feel so empty and… yet so full

Poet of the Light, “À la mode”, 2021, https://poetofthelight.com/2021/10/03/a-la-mode/

Project 5782 | Day 13

Planting the Correct Seeds?

Scripture Portion

Exodus 15.11

¹¹ “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Quote from Reading

“Five basic truths, five foundation principles of the knowledge about God which Christians have, will determine our course throughout. They are as follows:

1. God has spoken to man, and the Bible is his Word, given to us to make us wise unto salvation.

2. God is Lord and King over his world; he rules all things for his own glory, displaying his perfections in all that he does, in order that men and angels may worship and adore him.

3. God is Savior, active in sovereign love through the Lord Jesus Christ to rescue believers from the guilt and power of sin, to adopt them as his children and to bless them accordingly.

4. God is triune; there are within the Godhead three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and the work of salvation is one in which all three act together, the Father purposing redemption, the Son securing it and the Spirit applying it.

5. Godliness means responding to God’s revelation in trust and obedience, faith and worship, prayer and praise, submission and service. Life must be seen and lived in the light of God’s Word. This, and nothing else, is true religion.”

Packer, J.I., Knowing God: 20^th-Anniversary Edition, InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, 1973:1993, pgs. 19-20

Provocative Language

from “Putting in the Seed” by Robert Frost

“Slave to a springtime passion for the earth.
How Love burns through the Putting in the Seed
On through the watching for that early birth
When, just as the soil tarnishes with weed,

The sturdy seedling with arched body comes
Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs.”

Frost, Robert. Poetry Collection: Robert Frost. Ed. Parini, Jay, Illus. Paraskevas, Michael, N.p.: MoonDance Press. Print. pg. 40

Project 5782 | Day 12

Beware, O Sleeper! [a Lamentation/Intercession]
~ Sabbath Day ~

Scripture Portion

Commentary: Usually for Sabbath, the Scripture portion is more robust than other days. Not today. Today, I have a simple message that is burning with me that I want to share. Today, is short, but oh how I wish it were sweet. However, before we dive into the verse, I want to be clear on something. We need to be care with Scripture! Furthermore, we must remember that Scripture is not open to private interpretation (2 Peter 1.20). Therefore, we must tread carefully when claiming Scripture as “our own” or that everything applies today as though there were not an original audience the Scriptures were written for. On the other hand, however, Scripture is alive and it does mean something for us today (Hebrews 4.12). With all of this in mind, there is a verse that I think does speak directly to our society in America today and many other societies as well. This verse was not written or proclaimed to us directly, but oh is it a witness to the true position of where we are!

Malachi 2.17

¹⁷ “You have wearied the Lord with your words, and you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ In your saying, ‘All evildoers are good in the eyes of the Lord, and them He desires,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’”

Alter, Robert. The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary. N.p.: W. W. Norton & Company: New York, 2019 – Volume 2: Prophets, pg. 1,390

Sacrifice of Our Lips/Praise

Fruit of Our Lips

Liturgical Portion

The summary of the law

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your
neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all
the Law and the Prophets. [Matthew 22:37-40t]

The collect for purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may
perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

from Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Liturgy Press: Huntington Beach, 2019, pg. 106

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you sent your Son among us to proclaim
the kingdom of God in cities, towns, villages, and lonely places.
Behold and visit, we pray, the community of ________.
Renew the bonds of charity that uphold our civic life.
Send us honest and able leaders. Deliver us from poverty, prejudice,
and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and
justice with mercy. And at the last, bring us to your Holy City,
the new Jerusalem, where we shall know perfect unity and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

from Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Liturgy Press: Huntington Beach, 2019, pgs. 658-659

Scripture Milestone

During Sukkot of 2020, I started a Bible Reading Plan to read the Bible through before Sukkot of this year. I actually wanted to finish it earlier in the year, but today, while meandering around our Sukkah in the early morning rays of the September sun, with heavy dew and crisp air enveloping me, I read Psalm 149-150, Malachi 3-4, 2 Chronicles 36, and Revelation 22, thus completing the plan! It’s been a great journey and completing this task brings sweet joy.

I chose to use the Olive Tree App to track the readings and I chose the “Kingdom Bible Reading Plan”. This was a good way to track the progress and I really enjoyed that plan. It had nice customizable features and they did a good job stringing the texts together. It has my recommendation!

Now, off to the next plan!

How’s your reading coming along on this Sunday?

Have a wonderful day!

Project 5782 | Day 5

Maranatha!
~ Sabbath Day ~

Scripture Portion

Thoughts:
I know that I started this whole thing with Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths). I also realize that this may be out of the norm for most Christians, which I understand. As a follower of Christ, I do find great value in following the festivals of our God and think it would behoove any follower of Christ to so do. Now, this is not the place for theological volleying back and forth, however, if you wish to email me, feel free. I just want to bring two things to your attention in this regard. (1) Many debate whether we “have to” follow these ways, but I see it as a wonderful opportunity to worship Christ as all of the Biblical Holy days point to the work He has done, or the work He will accomplish in the future. (2) This festival especially has significance to our future! When Christ returns, all the nations will be obligated to follow this holiday. Yes, all the nations, even those who are not a part of His people. As such, how much more should we, His people, observe these wonderful days. In either case, I pray a blessed Sabbath to you today. May you spend time at His feet beloved!

Zechariah 14.3-7; 16-19
³ Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. ⁴ On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. ⁵ And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

⁶ On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost. ⁷ And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light.

¹⁶ Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths. ¹⁷ And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them. ¹⁸ And if the family of Egypt does not go up and present themselves, then on them there shall be no rain; there shall be the plague with which the Lord afflicts the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths. ¹⁹ This shall be the punishment to Egypt and the punishment to all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths. (ESV)

Sacrifice of Our Lips/Praise

Fruit of Our Lips

Liturgical Portion

Psalm 92
¹ It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, *
and to sing praises unto your Name, O Most High,
² To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning, *
and of your faithfulness in the night season,
³ Upon an instrument of ten strings and upon the lute, *
with the sound of melody upon the harp.
⁴ For you, Lord, have made me glad by your deeds, *
and I will shout for joy because of your handiwork.
⁵ O Lord, how glorious are your works; *
your thoughts are very deep.
⁶ The dull of heart does not consider this, *
and a fool does not understand it:
⁷ Though the ungodly are as green as the grass, and though
all the workers of wickedness flourish, *
they shall be destroyed for ever; but you, Lord, are
the Most High for evermore.
⁸ For lo, your enemies, O Lord, lo, your enemies shall perish, *
and all the workers of wickedness shall be destroyed.
⁹ But my horn shall be exalted like the horns of wild bulls; *
for I am anointed with fresh oil.
¹⁰ My eye also shall see its desire upon my enemies, *
and my ear shall hear with joy the end of the wicked
who rise up against me.
¹¹ The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, *
and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Lebanon.
¹² Those who are planted in the house of the Lord *
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
¹³ They also shall bring forth fruit in their old age, *
and shall be green and full of sap,
¹⁴ That they may show how upright the Lord is, *
my rock, in whom there is no unrighteousness.
– from The Psalter, Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Liturgy Press: Huntington Beach, 2019, pgs. 390-391

Prayer

a collect for sabbath rest Saturday
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from
all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures:
Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly
prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here
upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to
your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Liturgy Press: Huntington Beach, 2019, pg. 24

Project 5782 | Day 3

Rejoice, Cautious Love & Liberty

Scripture Portion

This jumped out at me this year during the Feast of Trumpets. A momentous time when God restored His Word among His people (just look at how the people responded!) after bringing them back from exile took place on this holy day.

Nehemiah 8.1-3; 8-12
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. ² So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. ³ And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

⁸ They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. ⁹ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ¹¹ So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” ¹² And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. (ESV)

Quote from Reading

“We may give our human loves the unconditional allegiance which we own only to God. Then they become gods: then they become demons. Then they will destroy us, and also destroy themselves. For natural loves that are allowed to become gods do not remain loves. They are still called so, but can become in fact complicated forms of hatred.” – Lewis, C.S., The Four Loves: An Exploration of the Nature of Love, Mariner Books: New York, 2012 edition, pg. 8

Provocative Language

“Birds lost their freedom
We human lost our voice
Soulless reality holds us in captivity
Our spirit yearns for liberation
Liberty is never free
She stands on the foundation of blood, sweat and tears”
from Ms. Cassa – “Restriction”, 2021

https://flickerofthoughts.com/2021/09/17/restriction/

Project 5782 | Day 2

Amateurs, Arise?

Scripture Portion

Micah 7.18-20

¹⁸ Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
¹⁹ He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.
²⁰ You will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.
(English Standard Version)


Thoughts:
It’s interesting how many people conclude that the God of the Old Testament was a radically different God than who we see revealed in Jesus Christ. No, He is not. He does not change and is always the same. He is always abounding in steadfast love and forgiveness!

Quote from Reading

“Sowell may be best known for his writings on racial controversies, but race isn’t a topic he initially set out to explore. ‘I never thought that just because I’m black, that made me an authority on race matters,’ he said. ‘I figured there were people who specialize in this stuff and they must know what they’re talking about. Then I started reading what they were saying, and so much of it was rubbish. I thought, “Good heavens, it’s time for us amateurs to get into this thing.”’” – Riley, Jason L., Maverick: A Biography of Thomas Sowell, Basic Books: New York, 2021, pgs. 9-10


Thoughts: I think this may be coming back again to the church as well. It is good to have well trained teachers and leaders, but too many of them these days are misleading us! It may be time for the “amateurs” to gain a strong voice again…but with great caution! Be careful what you teach (see James)! Also, if we are going to write, let us do so as informed and Thomas Sowell!

Provocative Language

I found this thought-provoking one-liner on page Following a Star.

“It is quite useless knocking at the door of heaven for earthly comfort; it’s not the sort of comfort they supply there.” – C.S. Lewis, Letters of C.S. Lewis (Dec. 3, 1959)

https://followingastar.wordpress.com/2021/09/12/on-heaven-and-earthly-comfort-with-cs-lewis/

Threads of the Divine Nature of Jesus | Week 2 | Winds & Waves

In the distance, menacing clouds arise. Upon seeing them, they scurry trying to prepare themselves, but the world around them begins to stir more and more; the clouds leap upon them rapidly. The vehement wind blows with great violence! The water around churns in anger at these disturbing touches. The sea – in it’s blind rage – takes it’s frustrations out on their small boat. The wood moans and creaks, seeking mercy under the onslaught of savage waves and ferocious gusts. Ropes shake and clamor as they smash against the sides, beams and supports. Everything dripping, both fresh and salty. This boat, containing several professional fishermen, has never seen a storm rage such as this. Danger is a foregone conclusion as at the moment death begins to sweep across the stressed boards. These fishermen know all too well.

In a last effort of hope, they realize they are missing a companion – their Leader. Ah, these disciples go looking for the one they claim and call, the Messiah; the Savior of the World. They dearly hope, but also have faith, that this title suits him well in this moment. But, where is he?! Then they find him, fast asleep! They rouse him – “We are dying!” as the boat conintues its chaotic dance across the white foam. This Teacher arises, comes out to the deck, looks at the storm, and says, “Stop!”

Immediately, the winds and the waters become quiet and calm…

 

---

 

In just five verses…an entire narrative; a movie being played out in front of the Disciples eyes. Here is the Word, from Luke 8.22-26:

22 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 set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him? 26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.”

What is obvious in the passage is certainly Jesus just did something amazing! How many people do you know that would (1) soundly and peacefully sleep through a storm that is on the brink of killing you while you are on a boat, and (2) he commanded – and was obeyed by – the winds and the water. Amazing!

However, for this series, as you well know, we are looking into things that show Jesus to be both eternal and divine. Do the claims that he is God hold true and what does this passage show in regards to this issue. Something quite amazing actually.

In order to see this, we have to remember something important Jesus said. In John 5.19, “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.'”

With this in mind, let us turn our attention to the Psalms. In Psalm 65, we see something truly remarkable. Here, in verses 5-8 we read:

“5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; 6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; 7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, 8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.”

Jesus, thousands of years after this passage was written, under impectable circumstances to carry this out, literally does “what he saw his Father doing.” What’s more, he does acts that are clearly contributed, according to the Psalm, only to God…

Below, I am going to show each verse again, but color code the connections.

I hope you enjoyed this second installment and look forward to meeting you here next week. Shabbat Shalom.

 

---

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Luke 8.22-26 & Psalm 65-5-8 (ESV):

22 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 set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

“5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; 6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; 7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, 8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.”