The Folly of Perfection

The Cleveland Indians won 22 games in a row before the streak finally ended Friday night, a game I happened to attend. This streak set a major league record previously dating back to 1935 (I am not counting the Elias record from 1916 that included a tie). The Indians did it with surprising ease outscoring opponents by huge margins with few games being close. However, the 22nd game was an extra inning thriller where the Indians came from behind. The players apparently started wishing that the streak was over and they could get back to just playing ball. The streak of perfection was getting harder and harder to maintain. To keep it going was a day to day grind.

Likewise the Old Testament law contains laws that are impossible to keep. I haven't even rolled out of bed and gotten into the morning routine before I have violated at least one law. At the time of Christ's earthly ministry, the Pharisees had even further gummed up the works by adding numerous trivial laws that weighted the people down.

If the perfection of God's law is impossible, why does it exist? Thankfully, the answer is supplied succinctly by Paul in Galatians 3:24. It is our tutor to lead us to Christ. We recognize our own inability and sinful pattern and it reveals our need for a Savior. Tutor is an interesting word. The Greek word denotes a slave whose duty was to take care of a child until adulthood. the tutor escorted the child to and from school and watched over their behavior at home. Tutors were disciplinarians and caused those under their care to yearn for the day when they would be free from under the tutor's custody. Likewise the law is our tutor and shows us our sins leading us or escorting us to Christ.

What Storms Teach Us

Just about all of us have friends and/or family going through a once in a generational storm in Florida as I write this. As I sit here in Northeast Ohio, the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day, but in Florida it is nasty. It is so easy to feel helpless about what is going on. If I could pull a Star Trek, I would beam people up here. But time and space prevents me from doing that. 

The seasoned fisherman were terrified. Storms, like hurricanes were common on the Sea of Galilee. But this one seemed completely out of the ordinary. The boat was being swamped. They feared for their very lives. And there was Jesus asleep like a baby on a cushion, an intentional act of rest, not one like dozing. These fisherman did not suspect that Jesus was unaware, but that He didn't care that their lives were in danger. Jesus calms the storm and says to them "Where is your faith?". (Mark 4:25-41).

What is it to be learned about storms?

1. Storms remind us of our human frailty. 
2. Storms remind us of the brevity of "stuff".
3. Storms offer an opportunity for human generosity and caring.
4. Storms remind us of who is the one who is in control.