EDUCATION NEWS
IN THE
BOAT Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. Mark 4:36
By Brent van Rensburg
Education Associate Director, Alberta Conference
I
have always loved different bodies of water, especially the oceans. I have also enjoyed watching various types of boats sailing along, like cruise ships, catamarans, yachts, and giant cargo ships. A Navy Lieutenant once said, “You can put a boat on a ship, but you can’t put a ship on a boat.” It reminded me of the biblical story of Jesus calming the sea. His disciples were on the boat, but He was in the boat. In Mark 4:36, it says, “Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him”. Whenever I have remembered this story, pictures usually portrayed only one boat. Realizing there were other boats in the sea makes a difference. The disciples were not the only ones on a boat who were afraid, but there were many others
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on different boats as well. When Jesus rebuked the wind and waves and said, “Peace be still,” He did it for everyone. Jesus can calm the storm! During this pandemic, many of us have been on our boats trying to navigate the storm of COVID-19. Our “boats” have been tossed and turned, and we have been battling each wave that comes our way. Individually, we try our best to make it through the storms of life, but there comes a time when our “boats” need to be loaded onto the “ship” of Jesus Christ. Better yet, I want Jesus to always be in my boat wherever I go, for I know He is my Peacemaker, Comforter, Counsellor, Friend, and Provider. These are all things I can count on Him to be.
