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LESSON
Why Are We Afraid?
Matthew remembered the pouncing tempest and bouncing boat and was careful in his terminology when he wrote his gospel. This storm was a seismos—“a trembling eruption of sea and sky.” This word is only used two other times—at Jesus’ death and at his resurrection. Apparently, the stilled storm shares equal billing in the trilogy of Jesus’ great shake-ups. In these moments of seismos God reveals something about his character to our fearful souls.
• Meditate on these three events and the connection Matthew
makes. What is the significance of using the same word at all three instances? What do we learn about God in each story?
The story of the disciples on the boat ends with the notso-subtle and not-too-popular reminder: getting on board with Christ can mean getting soaked with Christ. Disciples can expect rough seas and stout winds. Christ-followers contract malaria, bury children, and battle addiction, and, as a result, face fears.
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7/2/09 3:09:16 AM