Week 37: Don't you even care?

Don't you even care?

Mark 4 (vs. 35-41)

Throughout the bible, God has been asked this in one manner or another. Jesus was asked this in numerous ways in the gospels. "Don't you even care?" One instance where this sentiment is very apparent was during the storm with Jesus sleeping in the stern. The disciples, some of them fishermen, knew when a killer storm was a hopeless situation. There was no reasonable chance that this boat that was filling with water would not sink. That's what boats do when they are full of water. The disciples appeared to throw down their bailing buckets, let go of the sails, and admit their efforts to save themselves were completely in vain. Where was Jesus? He was asleep in the stern. Waking him, they asked, "Teacher, don't you care that we are going to drown?" If you cared, wouldn't you be doing something about it? We have seen your power so, is it that you just don't care? The disciples demonstrated that even those who were with Jesus constantly for years still doubted; they still didn't understand who he was, and they still questioned his willingness and/or ability to help them. God knows it is easy for us to doubt in situations like this, but his response was almost always to ask them where was their faith.

When we don't seem to be getting through to him, when it appears he is asleep and not hearing us, is it a surprise to God that we question and doubt? I doubt that is the case. God knows we are dust. He knows that just as the disciples who lived with him for three years had doubts, so will we. He questioned their unbelief. He rebuked their doubts. He was grieved at their lack of faith. But he was not surprised! In spite of their doubts, Jesus rose from his sleep and calmed the storm, he called Peter out for a walk on the water, he raised Lazarus from the dead, and he gave his Divine Commission to the Eleven (not 12 disciples at this time). No, God is still near even when we can't sense his presence. He is just behind the dark cloud. This, too, will pass. The Son will shine again soon.

—Dave Edwards