He woke up,
rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Now there's a word you don't hear often, rebuke. Google says of it, "The root comes from the Old French rebuchier and means "to hack down," or "beat back." A rebuke, then, is meant to be critical and to chide — in today's terms, a rebuke is verbal smack-down!"
When we hear the Lord rebuke the wind and sea, we should think of Psalm 46:10-11,
Who stops wars to the ends of the earth,
breaks the bow, splinters the spear,
and burns the shields with fire;
Be still and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
exalted on the earth.
Is it any wonder then, that "They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
Nor is the question simply metaphorical. When we see ferocious tornadoes, mudslides, droughts, and fires destroying towns and villages; and when we see island nations sinking and major cities shrinking before rising sea levels, we might ask, "Are these natural catastrophes obeying an Authority beyond the reckoning of our whiz-bang sciences?"
But the question is also very personal, for Jesus immediately rebukes his disciples, "“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
The popular biblical meme "Be still and know that I am God!" challenges and invites. If we think we are in charge of this world, we have another thought coming: "I am the Lord! There is no other!" Your science and technology are amazing but they pale before God's authority like a candle when the morning sun rises.
The Lord also invites us, "...know that I am God." How many times must he say to us, "Do not be afraid?'
Fear drives people to do stupid things. We've seen that since 9/11, January 6, and the onset of the AIDS epidemic and Covid pandemic. But Saint John assures us,
In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
"Rebuke the wise, and they will love you." says Proverbs 9:8. We thank God that we see his sovereign authority in the wind and sea, and in our political/economic catastrophes.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.