Tomorrow at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine (LC-MS), July 29th, 2012, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mark 6:45-52)

Dear Christian Friends,

We get some further information as to what was going on in the Gospel for July 29th from St. John. We are informed that right after our LORD’s miracle of the feeding of the 5000, the crowds had very definite plans for the LORD: “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” (John 6:15) And the disciples were probably influenced by this popular, reflexive impulse: “Let’s treat Jesus as a miracle worker and a King for serving what we determine is needed.” Such a “king” is not king, but an idol. Nothing new by the way. Too often God is seen as a celestial genie. He is “there” for what we want and what we think we need. Yuck! But our LORD protected His disciples from this influence by sending them away: “Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.” (Mark 6:45). We too must get away from the false caricatures of our LORD!

The notions building up about Jesus didn’t see Him or know Him. Even the first disciples did not yet see Him for who He truly was. It is humbling to realize that Jesus knew full well what He was doing: in sending them away, He was sending them into a storm. Really the best sets of circumstances for properly knowing ourselves and for properly knowing our Savior!

It is not until we realize that we have no recourse, that we are utterly helpless, as good as dead…that we are in a position to realize that we cannot save ourselves, nor define Christ. He will define Himself, and He does, as the real God. God who does not come for the strong, or for those who want to write His script. But He comes for lowly sinners who in truth — beyond their silly imaginations about control of their lives — are utterly helpless when the storms of life take over.

They must have been afraid of the great winds and waves, but that was nothing compared to seeing the LORD while glimpsing His glory and power…walking on water. Such a sight was too much for them! They were utterly afraid. The reaction of sinners towards God! Fear is the antithesis to faith. Sinners — on their own — cannot believe. We cannot exert our will to believe. The flesh cannot choose God. Those dead in sin cannot breath into themselves to inspire faith…all we can do is be afraid and prepare to die.

Then while we are helpless, He comes. The LORD comes into our lives; He climbs into our boats. In Mark 6, when the LORD approached their boat He spoke words to conquer their fear and lack of faith: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Mark 6:50).  And then Jesus got into their boat! And the Scriptures state what happened next in the most simple terms: “and the wind ceased.” (verse 51)

Jesus needs to climb into your boat sinner. That is the only way of dealing with your fear, your life without faith. He must climb in every single day, as even the most devout Christians feel the battle with their sinful, unbelieving, fear-plagued flesh…every day, in our baptismal grace, Jesus must come…and not in a metaphorical sense…but really come in and through His Word and Sacraments and climb in your boat, connect Himself to you and your life, and with Him…storms are calmed. And even when they seem they are not, your heart will be. Safe in the blood that covers your sin; safe in the resurrection life that has conquered your death…He has joined your boat; He has calmed your storm!

In Your Service and To His Glory,

Dr. Espinosa

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