Today’s Readings Genesis 8: 1– 10: 32 Matthew 4: 12-25 Psalm 4: 1-8 Proverbs 1: 20-23
Genesis 8: 1– 10: 32 Matthew 4: 12-25 Psalm 4: 1-8 Proverbs 1: 20-23
In today’s reading in the Old Testament, we find the flood has stopped and Noah is determining if the water has receded enough to leave the ark. Eventually, it does and God gives his epic promise: The Rainbow. Never again will he flood the earth or destroy man. The flood was an event that is hard to get our minds around. How could God do it? How could he destroy the whole humankind? And then you read that Noah wasn’t perfect either, he plants a vineyard and becomes drunk with wine and is naked.
I will leave the reasons for our great theologians, but I will say that God made a choice to “start over” with those whom he loved. He makes a point to Noah that:
“for in the image of God has God made mankind.” Genesis 9:6
If we are in the image of God, then we have his tendencies, his ability to see truth and justice and love. But sin clouds our abilities, but yet we have within us the likeness of God, Christ Himself. In the Gospel reading today, Jesus calls his first disciples to follow him, to go down the road he is walking. Peter and Andrew answer the call:
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “ Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Who do you follow? Oft times I follow the wrong thing: a fad, a crowd or someone who doesn’t have my best interests at heart. God does!
I remember when I was a kid we went camping in the Rocky Mountains. My dad, mom, and brothers. We were not much on camping so we went with some friends. We were trying to find the right camp sight and since we were newbies we followed this guy. He thought it would be a good idea to drive across a mountain stream in a car. He walked across and told my dad, come on, drive across you can make it. He tried and we didn’t make it. Got stuck, and worse, the current threatened to take the car down the stream.
Luckily we were rescued by a jeep with a winch and pulled to safety. Isn’t that like our lives? We can get stuck in a place and then pulled further in or downstream into something that isn’t good for us.
God made us like him, if we follow him we are promised no easy road, but we are promised to live the life God intended us to live. Our friend calling us across the stream in a car was interested in the supplies and provisions in the car more than he was concerned about our welfare. Jesus calls us to follow him and provides the roadway. What road are you on and who are you following? Answer these questions and you are well on your way! That’s what I think, until next time, peace.
Tyndale. The One Year Bible NIV (OYB: Full Size) (Kindle Location 770). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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