Jay Wieland

A thoughtful post from a clear thinker in the midst of such noise and chaos. Always read @ayjay blog.ayjay.org

If I could add one thing? From Luther’s commentary on Galatians:

“And this place witnesseth by whom he was taught, and by what means he came to his apostleship. " When it had pleased God." As if he would say, I did not deserve it, for my zeal in the law, led me to abominable and outrageous sins. I persecuted the Church of God, and was an enemy to Christ, I blasphemed His gospel, and was the author of shedding much innocent blood. In the midst of this cruel rage, I was called to such inestimable grace. What! because of thy outrageous cruelty? Nay! but the abundant grace of God, who calleth, and showeth mercy to whom He will.”

“Therefore, in respect of us the article of justification by faith in Christ alone, is very brittle, because we are brittle. Again we have against us one-half of ourselves: that is to say, the flesh and all the powers thereof. The flesh resisteth the spirit which cannot believe that all the promises of God are assuredly true. It fighteth against the spirit,” -Martin Luther in his commentary of Galatians 1:11-12

I haven’t read much Luther but am deeply thankful for this time in his commentary on Galatians.

“In most cases, people, even wicked people, are far more naive and simple-hearted than one generally assumes. And so are we.” -Dostoyevsky, ‘The Brother’s Karamazov’

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. (ESV)

he is sinking. the chaos of the wind whipped sea surround him. In the distance, The Word. He does not hover, but stands on the waters.

again, words in the chaos. not from the creator, but the creature: “Lord, save me.” immediately, his hands are found in the Savior.

the winds and the sea, the darkness does not relent. but he is not overcome.

he is led by the hand, childlike, to the boat. his feet and hands feel the wood of the boat, a means of faith that they will not sink. He touches the wood of the boat to join them, and all is made calm.

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