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DO WE CARE ABOUT OTHERS?

by Dr. Randy Tompkins

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. Mark 4:35-36 (NIV)

This story focuses on Jesus calming the storm. We all have heard sermons and Sunday School lessons that have dealt with allowing God to calm the storms that come into our lives. Totally relying on God’s love and care for us when we are in difficult times is a mainstay of Christianity.

However, there are a few words in this Biblical story that intrigue me. They are, “There were also other boats with him.” This brings up an observation. The disciples who, for the most part, were experienced seamen were so frightened they sought relief in the only place available to them – Jesus. When they had mustered courage to wake Christ, who were they concerned about? Themselves, and rightfully so. But what is missing is any voiced concern for the people in
the other boats that came with them. It could be that when the storm first came up, they all turned
back. Or it could be that the voiced “we” in the pleading to Christ also meant people in the other boats. But I don’t think so. There is nothing to support any conclusions here. It would be perfectly human to be scared for one’s own safety.

In the last few weeks, we have seen just the opposite in our state. Total strangers going out of their way to help those affected by a storm. Some would say that is us being us. I think the message is deeper than that. I think it is people taking care of all the other boats.

In Christ’s Service,

Dr. Randy Tompkins
Interim Senior Adult Minister
Calvary Baptist Church

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DO WE CARE ABOUT OTHERS?