Musical Prelude and Service

Corinthians 1:21-31
Luke 8:22-25
I want to start with a bit of time looking at Paul’s use of the terms Jew and Greek. It doesn’t take a
stretch to see the apostle creating distance between this new group of followers of Jesus from the
Jewish religious community. There is definitely more than a hint of we’re not like those other people
in this message.
And, as I have stated in the past this very quickly leads to anti-Semitism. As much as we may frown
at the suggestion of anti-Semitism, we need to be very aware that the history of Christianity includes
a lot of examples of discrimination, oppression and outright violence against our Jewish siblings.
It is a shameful part of our history which we need to acknowledge. And also wonder about it.
Because, even as Paul points to differences in the faiths, we need to remember Paul was initially a
Pharisee; a Jewish religious leader. He was also a Roman citizen who spoke Greek.
Greek was the dominant culture of the Mediterranean world at that time. Yes, it was part of the
Roman Empire, but the Greeks had dominated in one shape or another that region for centuries. Ever
since Alexander swept through the area and left a series of kings of Greek origin as his successors.
Paul would have been considered to some extent a Hellenized Jew.
Furthermore, this letter is written to the churches that he had established in Corinth, which is found
in Greece.
So Paul makes the statement that the Jews are seeking signs of God’s presence. The Greeks demand
rational proof. There is also talk of strength versus weakness.
Paul is writing to a church struggling with divisions and some other people claiming to represent the
direction of this new expression of faith. And so he says, we have all the proof or signs that we need
in the life and work and teaching of Jesus. And this business about strength or power that is what
makes the empire run. God shows us a different way. Jesus demonstrates his strength through his
weakness. His weakness being the fact the empire executed him.
Essentially Paul is arguing not to be swayed by arguments of a need for proof through signs of power
or so-called rational arguments. God shows us a different way that shakes the foundations of the
powerful. God moves us through teachings that undercut the assumptions and the positions of those
who control the world we know.
The passage I read from Luke is pretty well known. It is arguably a sign of Jesus power.
In the midst of a storm; as Jesus takes a nap, his disciples panic. They are terrified they are about to
perish as their boat is swamped. So they turn to Jesus for salvation. Save us from the storm.
And Jesus calms the storm and promptly asks them, where is your faith?
Where is your faith?
Now, you could wonder what is behind that question. Their faith is in Jesus. Didn’t they just turn to
him for rescue? Didn’t they see Jesus as the way to salvation in the midst of this terrifying storm?
Their faith seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it?
So, what is going on here?
And here are my I wonder statements. I wonder if their faith; their trust and loyalty to Jesus have
become a reliance on him to pull them out of difficult situations. That reliance on Jesus has left the
paralyzed or incapable of acting on their own. And further, they cannot see how to work together to
pilot their boat to safety. By automatically turning to Jesus to solve the problem they can’t work
together as a team offering each other support and strength and courage to find their way through
the storm.
Where is your faith?
Jesus has been teaching them to trust one another; to love one another and serve one another
throughout the gospels. But when tested, his disciples’ immediate response is to panic and call on
Jesus for rescue.
We find ourselves in our own boat rocked by storms. We find ourselves buffeted by waves of hatred
and mistrust; of those hungry for power, misleading or manipulating people through fear. We live in
a time when we face the terrible consequences of climate change and yet cannot seem to reach a
consensus of how to respond with compassion and justice.
Of course we turn to Jesus. We turn to God and cry out for help.
But we cannot forget we are not alone in this boat. Where is your faith?
Our faith, Jesus tells us, is more than just calling out his name. Our faith is trust and loyalty and to
act on the lessons he has provided. To work together for a better world. To take action; together to
pilot this boat through these storms; caring for one another; loving one another. Offering our
strength and courage.
What can we offer to the other passengers in our boat as we face the waves and the rain?
Jesus is with us. The storms will calm; but what are we doing in the meantime. Let us call on Jesus.
Let us ask, where is God? But let us also recognize that God is at work in our neighbours and our
siblings, helping to keep the boat afloat.

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789