READ: Luke 8
Verses
chosen for meditation: Luke 8:24
24 And they went and woke
him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked
the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.
REFLECT
In
this passage, Jesus’ disciples met with a tribulation, in the form of a life-endangering
storm. In fact, within this chapter, from Luke 8:22-56, you’ll read of a chain
of events, each easily a tribulation in anyone’s life, and how Jesus had
control over all of them.
Jesus
brought his disciples across the lake where they encountered a storm. What
greeted them at the other shore was a legion of demons. Jesus then took them
back to Capernaum, where they were constantly interrupted by people seeking
healing. Among them was a woman with an incurable disease. The disciples
continued the roller coaster ride to Jairus’ house, where Jesus barricaded 3 of
them with himself and a dead girl.
I’m
not sure what the disciples were expecting when they dropped everything to
follow Jesus. As they gain awareness of Jesus’ status as God, did they think
that their journey would be smooth sailing and free of troubles? This chapter’s
events should give them a clearer glimpse of what they got themselves into.
In
a sense, they were in the most secure place, and should have peace, as God is
with them, though that doesn’t mean trouble-free. However, did that security
and peace show in their reaction in v24? Seeing how Jesus calmed the storm
eventually, would that have given them confidence in Jesus for the rest of the
journey? Is it possible to have peace and security amidst tribulations?
RELATE
It is a great error to think the Christian life
brings freedom from tribulations. When Jesus says, “the truth will set you free”
(John 8:32), and “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36), he does not mean Christians will be exempt from the pains of life. The
freedom refers to liberation from being slaves to our pursuits and sin. So, if
we think we’ll have little to no trouble because we accept Christ, it’d be
disastrous. Because when trouble comes and it will, we’ll be plunged into
greater doubt, or even despair.
The title of this devotion is not “the possibility”
or “the inevitability”, but “the necessity” of tribulation. It is not that
tribulation may come, nor even that it will come, but that it must
come. Jesus states clearly in the next chapter: “The Son of Man must suffer
many things… If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up
his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:22-23). This is also echoed in Acts 14:22.
If we desire to follow Christ, we must take up our
cross. This means dying to our selfish tendencies, which includes avoidance of
trouble. Perhaps it’s not selfishness, but fear of potential hurts. This may be
the reason why we sometimes hesitate to go deep into ministry. The truth is
that as we go deeper into investing in peoples’ lives, we face more hurts,
rejection, and obstacles from the devil. The obstacles are a good sign though,
as it shows that the devil feels threatened enough by the good work to want to
hinder you. This is the price of following Christ, but it’s well worth it, being
involved in the world’s greatest mission.
Following Christ does not exempt us from
tribulations, but it does provide us with the means to conquer them. From the
passage, we see that the key to overcoming tribulations is Jesus. We go to
Jesus in our tribulations, instead of putting faith in our capabilities or other
things. The closest the disciples got to this is in v24, when they cried to
Jesus for help.
Each event in today’s chapter can represent a form
of tribulation in our lives. The storm represents all the adverse circumstances
we face. The legion represents our inner demons, the sinful thoughts that afflict
our minds. The woman’s illness represents our health ailments and physical
handicaps. The death of Jairus’ daughter reminds of bereavements and loss of
loved ones, and what awaits us all. Jesus conquered all of them.
Conquering our tribulations, however, may not take
the form we expect. Jesus’ answer in trying circumstances, may be relief for
some, and endurance for others. His answer to illness may be healing for some, courage
for others. Some gain peace in letting go or hope to move on. But in all of
them, if we go to him and ask him, he will give us the strength to overcome our
troubles in some way. That’s the good news given to us in these gospels.
The good news is for the poor. This does not refer
to the financially poor, but those who recognise their spiritual poverty and
need for God. That refers to all of us. We all need God. But only some of us realise
that and live with dependence on God. Those who do so will then find strength
to conquer their tribulations, having peace and securing amidst their troubles.
We must learn not to view tribulations as
something to avoid, but to confront and conquer them in Christ. Doing so would
be a powerful testimony, and would enable us to help others face up to their tribulations
with hope. That is also the purpose of the tribulations. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 affirms this purpose: we gain the ability to console and help
others in their ordeals, just as God consoles and gives us strength in ours.
REST
Dear Lord, thank you for your promise of being with
us in our troubles. Sustain us and may our response in these tribulations
glorify you. Amen.
Chris
Chong
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