Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Mark 4:35-41

Quick Summary:

The disciples and Jesus are in a boat when a storm comes up. Jesus is sleeping, while the disciples are scared for their lives. When the disciples finally wake him up, scared of drowning, Jesus calms the storm. The disciples were “poor in spirit.” They didn’t seem to trust that Jesus would protect them through the storm. That fear didn’t stop Jesus from doing just that- he calmed the storm, and proved himself to have power even over nature. 

The Point:

Our doubt and fear don’t take away from the power of Jesus. Even just enough faith to cry out to Jesus for help was enough for Jesus to work.

Questions for Family Time:

           1.     What happened? Tell me the story.

           2.     Why were the disciples scared?

           3.     Do you ever get scared? Even when you know Jesus is with you?

                                 (Okay adult, share a story of when you may have been scared…even if Jesus was with you…)

           4.     Did being scared stop Jesus from being able to help them?

Deeper:

We have all sat through those children’s movies. Peter Pan. Santa Claus movies. There is that moment at the climax when the viewer is told, it’s up to us. If we believe, that belief gives the character power. It revives little Tinker Bell. It gets Santa’s sleigh into the air.

We hear it over and over again in school: “If you believe, you will achieve!”

Unfortunately, many of us have heard the same sentiment when it comes to Jesus. We are told, “If you have enough faith…” the miracle you are praying for will happen. The healing will happen. The bill will mysteriously be paid.

The problem with this theory is that it makes God’s work about our own ability to believe. I don’t know exactly how God chooses who will get the miracle. I just know it’s not about who has the most trust. I know that in my own life, it is those moments when my faith is holding on by a thread that God seems to show up the most. It’s when I am scared and don’t know if God will help.

Jesus says in the first Blessed R “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” That’s a huge relief to me because sometimes my spirit is pretty weak. I doubt a lot. So when I am in those moment where my spirit is poor, I take comfort in knowing that it’s not my spirit that gives God power. He has it already. And he has room for people like me in his kingdom.

Personal Reflection:

When is a time in your life that God has come through even though you had a lot of doubt?