Mark: The Storms of Life

Do you ever feel like things go from bad to worse, like you’ve just weathered one storm when another one blows up right after it? After facing the craziness and chaos of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus faces a storm of another kind. He and His disciples have just landed on shore when they are met by a man who is simply out of control. The man’s family and friends had tried to subdue and control him but nothing worked, and so now he’s left to roam endlessly and recklessly among the tombs. When the man sees Jesus approach he runs to him.

Jesus is exhausted. He’s just spent an eventful trip coming across the lake, coming to a place He’d hoped to get away from the craziness of the crowds, but now He’s faced with yet another unpredictable storm. However, instead of dismissing the man and casting him aside, Jesus engages with him and heals him. Jesus takes what is broken and makes it whole; He takes what has been cast aside and returns it to it’s rightful place. Jesus brings stability and peace into the midst of chaos.

I know that each of us will face storms, or is facing storms in your life right now. Know that God understands and knows how all things fit together, that He has a plan and a purpose for you. It may not make sense at first, but it will become clear in His time. That man that Jesus healed, the demoniac from the Gerasenes, went on into the region of the Decapolis, a Gentile region, preparing the way for the Gospel that would be preached shortly after Christ was raised from the dead and ascended into Heaven. The man went from a chaotic, dangerous man to one who brought peace and calm and stability. Let Jesus do the same for you.

We will gather once again this Sunday at 6pm. If you’d like to join us for prayer before the service, a group meets downstairs from 4:30-5:30.

Pastor Mike