"and Yet" Fathers Day Sermon

This year for Father’s Day we need to acknowledge the messy world in which we live. People are struggling; people are hurting; our brothers and sisters of color are dealing with systemic racism and the economic effects of white privilege.

The pandemic still has our economy reeling and many unemployed and underemployed, not to mention the long-term health effects on those who were stricken by the virus and the grief over the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives. The lasting impact of the assault on our democracy will ripple for decades as we seek to find ways to live up to the ideals we hold as a nation.

1. “And Yet” Stuff happens. The storm rises and we are in danger of being swept away.

Jesus wanted to getaway. No elaborate farewells, no ritual good-byes. He turns to his disciples and says, “Let’s Go out on the water!” And off they go.

They get in a boat, and they set off across the sea. Or rather the lake; it’s not that big really; it’s not liked an ocean crossing. But the geography surrounding this lake makes it susceptible to pop-up storms.

Out of nowhere with nothing on the horizon, then—bam—there it is. You’re in the midst of the storm. Some have I’m sure begin reading what I think happens in the midst of. Some of us understand storms. Some of us have seen our relationships with our fathers being a lot like storms calm on some days and rocky and wind-driven on others. Some understand that the responsibility of fatherhood can be much like a storm. Some right here in this church today might know what it feels like to have a stormy relationship with God our heavenly father. Storms are real!

2. Sometimes the storm is extra!

That’s the nature of storms; they just happen. Sometimes we can look back and see them coming; but most of the time, they just come. It is almost as if someone, something was out to get us.

There is a feeling about the storm in this story, that it isn’t just a storm, a natural occurrence, a common happenstance. There is something bigger here,

When Jesus tells the storm to calm down, he shouts “Peace! Be Still.” These are the same words Mark tells us Jesus used to cast out demons. There, it is translated as “Be quiet! Come out of her!”

Same words.

This storm, Mark implies, is demonic, evil, needing the hand of a savior.

3. This story however isn’t really about the storm.

The storm demands our attention. It seems to be a major character, the biggest threat, the loudest voice. But this isn’t a story about storms. It’s a story about Jesus. And it’s a story about faith. It’s easy to miss.

We are distracted when we are afraid; we lose hope. And often one of the first things to go is faith, belief in a loving God, and hope in tomorrow and today.

And yet. What an amazing phrase: “AND YET.” Facing the reality of the world in which we live is not a recipe for despair.

It is instead an acknowledgment of the power of the God we worship. We call upon Jesus to still the storms that surround us, even as we pray for the strength to endure. And not just endure but to help create a shelter for those who are ravaged by the storms that blow unabated.

AND YET! At the end of the story, they are in awe. They are blessed and they are safe and empowered!

“Who is this?” they said. Even the winds and waves obey him!

Who is this?

They’d never seen anything like this before. Jesus had never stilled a storm before. He had never stopped a wind gust, never smoothed out a wave. It’s no wonder that it never occurred to them to ask Jesus to do such a thing. They had no idea that this was in his toolbox.

But in their panic, in their fear, they forgot. They lost their grip on him and thought only of their own lives. “And Yet!”

Their boat was already swamped, and they gave up. On life, on hope, on him.

They gave up. “And Yet!”

Jesus asks have you still no faith? It’s easy to forget in the midst of the storm. Forget to hold on to him.

Not because he will still every storm, but he will stand with you in the swamped boat, in the crashing waves. He cares, and that is everything in the midst of the storm.

Church today I just want to tell you that for the storms that Pop up in Your life you need an And Yet type of Faith. No matter the relationship difficulties you might be having with father, mothers, sister, brother, or even child, with an And Yet faith know that Jesus is on the boat! And Jesus in all power is saying Peace be still! Wind Stop! Demons Stop!