MORAVIAN WRITINGS
“Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?” Reflections on Mark 4:35-41
Each week, Moravians across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean share a common message through their Sunday bulletins. This month, we share insights written on Mark 4:35-41 for the Fourth Sunday of Pentecost. Thanks to writers past and present for their contributions to the Moravian bulletin series.
Our Savior in the Storm Doug Rights, pastor, King Moravian Church, King, North Carolina • June 20, 2021
When I was young, I loved storms. In the winter I loved snowstorms, which brought cancelled school and snow forts. In the summer, I loved thunderstorms, with their strong winds, rumbling thunder, flashes of lightning, and sheets of rain. As I grew older, I learned about the destructive side of storms, such as blizzards, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. I also learned about and experienced other types of storms, which are the storms of life. These storms include broken relationships, loss of loved ones, life-threatening diseases, and the uncertainties of life. Some of these storms you May 2021
see coming, while others come suddenly. There are two great lessons in the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4. One lesson is that for Jesus’ followers there will be storms. Just being a Christian does not mean we will be spared the storms of natural disasters or the storms of life. The other great lesson is that we, like the disciples, have someone we can turn to when there is a storm. We can turn to Jesus. Just as Jesus calmed the storm on the water, Jesus will help calm whatever storm we face. In the story, Jesus called the wind and the waves to be still. When we turn to Jesus in our storms, his words “Be still” are not so much at the storm we face. Instead, Jesus’ words “Be still” are (Continued on next page) 33
