Write From My
Heart
August 19, 2020
Cause and
Effect
John 14:1 (NLT)
[words of Christ]
“Don’t let your
hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
John 14:27
(NLT) [words of Christ]
“I am leaving
you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the
world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
The account of Jesus calming the storm
is recorded in three of the four gospels. Here are the scripture references: Matthew 8:24-27 Mark 4:37-41 Luke 8:23-25
Sometimes I enjoy scratching out some
notes to compare the various accounts of a single event while keeping in mind
the various perspectives of the different authors. For example, Matthew was one
of the disciples and tax collector by trade so we can almost see the wheels
turning in his head as he counts the cost of potential loss the boat, not to
mention friends—yet he is determined to “follow him [Jesus], (v 23).” Mark was
the youngster in the group and thought to be the secretary for Peter. Perhaps
his youth shows as he boasts how “they took him [Jesus] along, just as he was, (v
36).” Finally, Luke, traveling companion to Paul and physician provides details
of the great danger they faced.
Certainly one of the greatest
lessons this account teaches is learning that Jesus was unafraid because he
knew the author of true peace. Most likely you have heard many Sunday School
lessons and sermons devoted to this topic. But you know me, and I always try to
dig a little deeper and find something new to add to my existing understanding.
What I find remarkable is the command Jesus had over both cause and effect.
Stay with me a moment—we know the great waves were the effect of the blowing winds, because it was the wind that caused the waves. Jesus commanded both!
He might have just calmed the effect of the waves which was the immediate danger
for the small fishing vessels of the day. That might have solved the problem
temporarily, but he didn’t stop there. He also commanded the source and cause of
the danger, namely the wind.
What I learn from this is that when
Jesus tells us he will give us peace—not the kind the world gives—but peace of
mind and heart, he truly means what he says! He gives us the kind of peace that
not only provides temporary relief, but he gives us true lasting peace—not absence of trouble—but deeper peace that goes
beyond anything we might face.
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