The First Baptist Church of Redlands
TA PE S T RY Woven Together In Love: Colossians 2:2
AUGUST 2015
ISSUE No. 8
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR RICHARD
The Sudden Storms of Life Until 1990 when it was stolen, there hung in the Gardner Museum in Boston, a wonderful painting by Rembrandt called “The Storm on the Sea” based on the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Mark. Looking at the painting one could sense the danger the small craft was in and the panic of those onboard. The small boat is being lifted on the crest of a giant wave. The sails and lines are torn loose from the riggings and flailing wildly in the storm while five disciples struggle to control the boat. The others in the painting are in the stern of the boat, clustered around Jesus, frightened and trying to rouse Jesus from his much needed sleep. They cry, “Master do you not care that we perish?” As he awakens, there is a calm expression on Jesus’ face. Then He stands and rebukes the wind. “Peace, be still.” The
“The Storm on the Sea” by Rembrandt was stolen in 1990. The painting depicts Jesus and the disciples in a storm that is later calmed by Jesus.
wind ceases. He says to those in the boat, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” The painting shows fourteen figures in the boat, the twelve disciples, Jesus and Rembrandt himself. There he stands, clutching one of the supports, holding his head in horror. In depicting himself in the painting, I
think Rembrandt was identifying himself with the terror that sudden storms bring. I am sure that most all of us have experienced a “sudden storm” that has come into our lives: “One is going through a routine day and the doctor calls to tell the person that tests show she has cancer.” “A man and his wife are driving to help someone in need and another driver cuts them off with tragic results,” “A dedicated worker who has worked for a company for twenty five years is called in one Monday morning and told to clear out his desk and that security will escort him out of the building.” The stories could go on and on. Sudden storms that come into our lives. We have all experienced them. I experienced one just recently. Recently one Sunday I was to preach
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