In the chaos of the first century marked by persecutions and executions for being one of the Lord’s disciples, Jesus had the nerve to say to his followers, “Do not be afraid little flock, for the father has given you the kingdom.”  In the boat being tossed in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, a storm big enough to threaten the lives of the twelve in the boat, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.”  This is a time of fear equal to any that the prior centuries have provided.

We are being told that our country is threatened from without, and now we are told that our country is threatened from within through financial “mismanagement” and “bad dept.”  We are being told that incurring another $700 billion of dept to federal government will solve the problem.  I do not begin to judge right from wrong in these matters.  I speak as a pastor over the flock of the Lord Jesus Christ because I know also the fear that faces us all.  I fear every time my pension statements come.  I’m not sure that I want to even open them for a while to see the net result.  We are all in the rocking boat.  I will not presume to say, “Everything will be alright.”  None of us knows the full depth of what could or will happen in these times.  Nonetheless, I bring the same message that Jesus brought to the disciples perched at the brink of possible ruin.  Do not be afraid.  Jesus Christ is in this boat with us.  

This is time like every other that the disciples faced and requires the same trust in the simple truth that we are in the hands of God.  God is faithful.  That does not mean that things will remain the same, or that we will not walk away unscathed by the consequences that face our world.  It does mean, however, that come what may, Jesus will go the distance with us.  This is a time of “hanging in there.”  The twelve had hang in there after Jesus was crucified.  They only had the hope (probably unheeded as they were overcome by fear) that Jesus would rise from the dead as he promised. 

Hang in there as you face the effects of these multiple crises that affect us all.  Hang in there knowing that Jesus was faithful to his word and promise to rise from the dead after his crucifixion.  Hang in there knowing that God has been faithful to his church throughout persecutions, wars, dictators, and the many other crises that threatened the people of God through the centuries.  Hang in there knowing that God faced the hungry 5000 and satisfied them with 5 loaves and 2 fish.  We who belong to Christ Jesus have a long history of God’s faithfulness to the generations.  Hang in there knowing that all of this will pass and God will remain faithful to us throughout.  God has already made us victors in him who loved us and gave his life for us. 

The peace of God that passes all human understanding keep you in Christ our Lord,  Amen.

Pastor Kipp W. Zimmermann