The Parts We Miss

THE PARTS WE MISS

I recently wrote an article dealing with the fact that our Christian life is a life of continual learning. We literally never stop finding new stuff in the scripture. I really don't know how many times I have read through the whole bible, but have been doing it every year for the past 15 to 20 years. What may surprise you is that I am always seeing new stuff. It happened again just this past week.

You probably are familiar with the story of Jesus stilling the storm on the Sea of Galilee. You remember, Jesus had been teaching the people and got into a boat to go to the other side of the lake. He promptly lay down and fell asleep. While Jesus was sleeping, "Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat." (NIV Matthew 8:24) The disciples were so afraid that they woke Jesus and with a word he stilled the storm.

OK, so you know the story, but here is a question. Was there anyone else with them? Were there other folks in other boats accompanying them? Come on, don't shy away from the question or assume that just because I asked there must be a secret to the story. The bible really gives us a little more information, but it's one of those little parts we sometime miss.

You may be a better scholar than I and know the answer, but for me it was the first time it registered that maybe there was something I missed in the telling of this story.

Do we ever learn it all? Of course not! Well how much is enough? I don't know, but I do know that God expects us to be searching the scripture daily and showing ourselves approved workmen for Him. Paul writes: "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." KJV 2 Timothy 2:15) or "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (NKJV)

Oh, just in case you are wondering, the answer to the question is found in the parallel record of the story in Mark 4:36.

May God bless you in your ongoing search of His word!

Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart