To the Other Side

There’s been much consternation with the breakdown of the MV Loch Seaforth from Ullapool to Stornoway. It crosses from the mainland to the Isle of Lewis, across the other side of the North Minch.

This isn’t any old ferry but a vital link between the mainland and the Isle of Lewis. The crossing is that connection bringing people, visitors, food and cargo, goods to and from the islands. It’s a lifeline. To have it breakdown is a calamity.

Sea of Galilee

Jesus used boats, probably a tadge smaller than this one, quite often. In Mark 4:2 it is used as a temporary Pulpit – I bet John Wesley would have approved of this a lot. Given his home base of Capernaum, at the very top of the Sea of Galilee, boats would have been a common form of transportation.

The disciples were generally those of the fishing fraternity: the Zebedee brothers were from good fishing stock. The boats then were seen as a means of livelihood but also of getting from one side of the Lake to the other side.

The boat represents a form of safety, perhaps even refuge from the turbulent sea. Even if the Sea of Galilee was ‘inland” the storms would still cause quite a ‘stir’. When delivering mail in South Georgia we began to notice the marks on the surface of the water, seeing where the wind was impacting upon water. Is this parable (Mark 4: 35-41) all about surviving a boat journey?

Where were they going?

Some theologians suggest that there is a series of points being made in the Gospel. That Jesus is speaking of power over creation, over foreign lands, over life, and over the spirits. [You may spot that Mark 5: 1-20 is missed out in this year’s lectionary, which speaks of Jesus and the Geresene Man with an evil spirit] I think there may be a simpler explanation, especially for today.

The disciples were travelling from Capernaum to Decapolis – the place of ten towns. This wasn’t where Jews would normally frequent. I wonder how we might feel at the prospect of going to a place we didn’t normally go – because it may not offer a welcome. It is to the other side.

The storm approaches, perhaps it is one they could see coming closer and closer. No Windy app for them then. Jesus is asleep, but is awoken, calms the storm and then admonishes (?) the disciples for their lack of faith.

When we look more closely at the text, we may notice that Jesus ‘woke up’ which in the Greek is the same as resurrected or raised up – I wonder if that is by chance?

Three separate times (interesting Biblical number) the author uses mega: translated as fierce gust in Mark 4:37; a great calm in Mark 4:39; and a terrible fear in Mark 4:41.

Today

The storm today which we might resonate with most is the Pandemic. It never seems to stop affecting us. It brings fear, mega fear.

But I thought that believing in Jesus was to give us a life full of abundance, so why all this fear?

Jesus didn’t ever say that the boat journey would be in calm weather. We can expect rough seas. It’s how we ride those waves perhaps. The disciples were in panic mode from the outset. Firstly they may have been concerned with their expected destination. Secondly this storm could have given them grounds – they might have liked to been on the ground at this point – to turn back. But Jesus is asking us to consider this differently.

Can we trust God before the storm strikes, and for that trust to remain with God during the storm? When Jesus has taken us through that storm, can we remember what it was like in the storm – with God so close. Just as Jesus was so close to the disciples?

Can we remember what it was like in the storm – with God so close

Where are we going?

That mega-fear may prevent us from connecting with our faith but it certainly doesn’t deny us that faith. What preconceptions did the disciples have to cross to the other side?

As we are in Pride Month, do we, would we, engage with the LGBTQ community, to show our support? Or is it just too much trouble – we could weather this storm, ride it out quietly, or let God journey with us.

Could we engage with those on the nationalist and/or unionist campaigns, to hear each others argument, to bring a community closer?

Where is that other side for us today?