Jesus was a storyteller, and a good one. His stories engaged his listeners, requiring them to think, to be attentive if they were to learn anything of the kingdom of God. Thus, the sincere seeker is separated from the cynical skeptic, "for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away" (Mark 4:25). He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
If Jesus was a simple storyteller, he'd be interesting, entertaining even, but that would be the end of it. And so he got in a boat with them, "and a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling" (Mark 4:37). They were deathly afraid, until Jesus said, "'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm" (Mark 4:39). Then they feared all the more. It is one thing to face a storm, and quite another to see the King of storms in action; "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:41).
What followed was bizarre, Jesus cast demons from a crazed man into a herd of pigs, and the pigs plunged into the sea and drowned. The towns people cared not for the pigs, but for the loss of wealth. Jesus cared for the soul of the man he saved. A little girl on the edge of death was next on the agenda, except Jesus was interrupted by a woman "who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse" (Mark 5:25-26). Death could wait while Jesus paused to heal this woman, but death didn't wait and the little girl died. No matter, the King of the storms, the ruler of demons, and the healer of disease, was no simple storyteller, but the Lord of life. "Little girl, I say to you, arise" (Mark 5:42), and she did.
Daily Prayer
My Great God, what an amazing thing, Your Son born a baby to Mary. No earthly father, but a Heavenly Father, a poor family, peasant shepherds announcing His birth, a Friend of sinners and outcasts, Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Big things come in small packages.
You came humbly and changed the world. You defeated all enemies, including the last enemy - death. You have established an eternal kingdom of peace and declared the good news of salvation. I'm listening and believing, and my life has been changed forever. Thank You, my God and Savior.
Amen
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