Jesus Calms
the Storm (Mark 4:35–41)
Behind this
story are echoes of older stories. God formed the world out of the chaotic sea
and later lead Israel through the sea out of Egypt. In this story we see the
power that made the world at work through Jesus. Jesus and his disciples seek
to cross the lake, but a sudden storm starts filling their boat with water. This
storm was so severe that these experienced fishermen were sure they would die. They
misinterpreted Jesus’ ability to rest in the storm and rebuked Jesus for not
caring about them.
Jesus rebukes
the storm and everything becomes completely calm. After rebuking the storm, Jesus
rebukes his disciples for being afraid and not trusting him. They wait until they’re
about sink before the cry out to Jesus for help. Then they accuse Jesus of not
caring about them. They were afraid of dying but after the wind and waves obey
Jesus they’re terrified. The disciples look at each other wondering who is this
that the ‘wind and waves’ obey. Don’t be surprised if Jesus reveal himself to
you through a storm and challenges you to trust him.
Jesus Calms the Demoniac (Mark 5:1-20)
On the other
side of the lake is a man with an evil spirit who lived among the tombs. The
spirit gave him great strength so that he could even break chains. The spirit
gave him power but tormented him so that he cried out and cut himself with
stones. Jesus commands the spirit give its name which the spirit says is ‘legion’
for they are many. They beg Jesus not to send them out of the area but to
permit them to go into a herd of 2000 pigs on a nearby hillside. Jesus permits
them so the demons enter the pigs only to lead the herd into the lake to drown.
The people
come out and see Jesus with the man who had been demon possessed dressed and in
his right mind. The people are afraid and they plead with Jesus to leave their
area. The man who had been demon possessed begged to go with Jesus. Yet, Jesus wants
the man to go to his family and tell what the Lord had done for him and how he
had received mercy. The man obeyed Jesus and went into
the towns and told people about Jesus and when the people saw him and heard
what had happened they were amazed. In these stories Jesus exercises his authority
over the physical world and the unseen spiritual world by the power of his word.
Stay Well,
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms
Prayer Requests:
1) Please pray for the 'International Students Ministry' at Christ Church Stellenbosch. We pray that those attending our Thursday afternoon gathering will reach out and invite friends.
2) For
connecting with international students through hospitality (having them over for
dinner) to deepen friendships and show Christ’s love.
3) The 'School
of Storying' planned for Malawi has been moved to next year 2016. Pray that we
can find the right accommodations and the best possible participants for the 5
week training.
4) We praise God
for some very generous individuals and for our main partnering churches. Please
pray for consistent giving and that God will grow and bless our partnering
churches.
5) We have decided
against making a trip to South Sudan. Pray for our friend Darien that he will
be encouraged in his work to train Anglican Pastors in that troubled country.
He is very experienced and familiar with traveling throughout Africa but he and
the Pastors he is seeking to train need our prayers. 
