Notes for Jane's Sunday sermons

Mark 4:36-41

Sea of Galilee – is really more like a Big Lake
A lot like Izabal.
Several miles long and a few across
But can see to the other side
Pretty much of all of Jesus’ ministry was there.
Began by calling fishermen as first disciples.
Began to teach by the Sea.
After resurrection – risen Christ appeared to those disciples.

The Sea – really important.
Also beautiful. Sea – sometimes peaceful.
But also – as you know from this lake – can be dangerous and chaotic.
Like life. Like discipleship.

Mark Chapter 4 – parables – about the realm of God.
Call for trust in God’s ways. God’s purpose.
God’s reign where ALL will kneel in peace and security.
Teaching people in awe.

THEN . . . after this kind of teaching,
Jesus invites the disciples to go with him, TO THE OTHER SIDE (of the Sea).
Hmmm . . . Not so sure. Long way. Dangerous waters.
Not sure what – or who – is on the other side.
Don’t know what is over there – could be threatening.
“The other side” represents all that is different, foreign.
If stay on our side . . . what to do, what to expect, the traditions.
The Sea keeps us from the unfamiliar.
But now Jesus is telling us to cross over,
to go through that boundary that separates us.

That’s what Jesus has called us to do in this partnership.
We – your presbytery, our church – are each crossing over . . .
not letting the Sea – or anything – separate us.
Risky.
A little scary.
Means we get to know people who are different from us,
who talk a different language,
who have different traditions, ideas, ways of doing things,
who we don’t – or won’t – always understand and agree with.
But Jesus calls us to go – with Him – to cross over.

That’s why we are here. We heard Jesus call.
And so we – with our church praying and helping –
made the trip – hard, with a long day of travel –
And why some of you (Gerardo, Macaria, and Ramiro) –
made to trip to visit us, to cross over language –
hard trips, scary airplanes, and scary visa application process.

None of us actually on the water to get to each other –
more cars, buses, and airplanes.
We cross to learn about each other’s struggles
and for the joy of being discovered in our different places.

We learn so much coming here – being with you –
about how to be faithful in hard times,
how to witness to God’s love in the midst of violence,
how to start new churches with little money,
what makes your women’s organization so strong,
and keeps your young people engaged
and you – with us – see our setting –
ways to remove people’s busy-ness and distraction

(All in all) – so we can get know each other
and understand one another
and see not just our differences
but also what we have in common,
because we are really in the same boat –
and Jesus is there/here with us.

It won’t be easy.
Being a disciple of Jesus isn’t always easy.
But we don’t have to be afraid –
Because Jesus is here with us –
as we cross over (and)
go through the boundaries that separate us
and (as) we realize we are all one,
all in the same boat,
with Jesus who is moving us
together! –
closer to God’s kingdom
where all people everywhere
know security
and live together in peace.

We learn from each other –
and practice together –
trusting Jesus who is in the boat with us –
The One who stills the waters.
The One who points us in new directions.
The One who has called us to cross over
into each other’s territory.

I am very thankful that he has.