Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!
- Luke 8:45
You know the story. Jesus calmed a storm. Chaos in the wind. Chaos in the waves. Chaos in the boat. Jesus naps. Frightened and amazed (and I'm sure miffed) disciples shake his shoulder. "Hey, we're in real trouble here." Jesus rubs his eyes and stands. "Stop." The wind becomes a golfer's dream; the water a skier's.
Peace.
You know the story. Jesus sent a legion of demons into a herd of pigs, who subsequently went all-lemming off a cliff. Chaos in the naked, chain-breaking lunatic. Chaos among the crowds anytime the crazy shows up. Chaos even in the demons themselves. They beg Jesus to, "...give us permission to enter those pigs." Jesus, "OK." Pigs die. A formerly tormented man sits at Jesus' feet completely coherent (and clothed).
Peace.
You know the story. Jesus raised a dead girl. Chaos among the mourners. Chaos in the hearts of parents. Chaos in a little girl's body. Death. Jesus: "She's just asleep." Crowd: Chaotic laughter and ridicule. Jesus: "Little girl, get up." The little girl opens her eyes, sits up stretching and says, "I'm hungry."
Peace.
You know the story. A woman had been bleeding for twelve years. Chaos in her emotions; she would be declared "unclean" and unable to worship with others. Chaos in her finances; she had spent her last cent looking for cures. Chaos in her hope; there was none. Chaos in the crowd: "If only I can get to Jesus." A touch - just his garment, but a touch. Jesus stops: "Who touched me?" Peter says there is no way to know. It is pure chaos among the pressing crowd. Jesus says, "No, a powerful peace just invaded this chaos. The frightened, but healed woman stammers, "I touched you." Jesus smiles, "I know."
Peace.
Life can get chaotic.
Peace.
You may be overwhelmed.
Peace.
Whatever the storm. Whatever the lunacy and bondage. Whatever has the smell of death. Whatever the hopelessness.
PEACE.
God, be my peace.
For now...
D
