Storms

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE:

A little over 75 years ago a little known American inventor, born of Russian descent named Vladimir Kosma Zworykin began to work for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Over the next few years Mr. Zworykin worked on an idea called an iconoscope and a kinescope. The kinescope would eventually come to be known as the Cathode Ray Tube and in 1929, Mr. Zworykin revealed his great invention to whole world in a much publicized demonstration. The iconoscope became the TV Camera for broadcasting and the Cathode Ray Tube became our TV Receiver. All of this came about because of the small seed of an idea in the mind of one man. Now, because of that idea, we all sit and watch “in the branches” of the “tree” that grew from that small mustard seed. As you can see, from the small seed of an idea great things can grow. And so it is with your faith in God and with the presence of the Kingdom of God within your heart.

In Palestine a grain of mustard seed was a symbol for the smallest possible thing. (vv. 30-32) Actually it was not the smallest seed known. Palestinian mustard seed is about the size of our petunia seed. However, this tiny seed when it is planted in the ground becomes a tree that has been known to reach over twelve feet in height. Things that seem very small and insignificant, to us at the moment, have the potential of becoming large. This is true of both good and evil.

After teaching the large crowd Jesus was exhausted and got into a boat where He stretched out and was soon asleep (vv 35-41). A great storm came up and the boat was filling with water, but Jesus continued to sleep. The disciples had to awaken Him and as soon as He saw the problem He quieted the storm. This life is full of the storms of sorrow, problems and anxiety but Jesus understands and wants to replace our fear when we place our faith in Him and realize He is in the storm with us.

APPLICATION:

The question is - How do I respond to the storms of life?

___ I can handle this.

___ Why did this happen to me?

___ Blame others.

___ Turn to the Lord for help.