Just in Case

Friday 2-24-17, Modesto, California

Today we read Num 14 – 15 and Mark 3

S = Scripture,  O = Observation,  A = Application,  P = Prayer,  SOAP for the soul.

S. Mark 3:7-9 Jesus and his disciples went out to the lake, followed by a huge crowd from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far away as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him for themselves. Jesus instructed his disciples to bring around a boat and to have it ready in case he was crowded off the beach. NLT

O. Jesus, now followed by a huge crowd, took his disciples to the lake shore. There on the beach the sick and needy crowded him seeking a fresh start in life with new health. I can see it now, Jesus is being pushed around by the seething mass of people. He turns to Peter, “Go get your boat and bring it up to the shore here, just in case this mob crowds me off into the water.” Apparently, it didn’t happen until the next day. This time he got into the boat right at the start and used it as His platform… separated from the mob by water. 

A. “Just in case?” Didn’t Jesus know if it would be needed? Maybe He was teaching us, who do not know the future, to be ready “just in case.” I have been accused of always seeing the possible negatives, a man of small faith… since I always was preparing a ‘Plan B’ just in case ‘Plan A’ happened to fail: A generator ready if the city has a blackout, a battery powered amplifier on hand just in case the sound system failed, a fire extinguisher handy, a vehicle available just in case of emergency.  Most of the time my ‘escape route’ was not needed, but sometimes it saved the day.

P. Okay, Lord, I admit that my mind tends to go over the whole building project seeking out possible problems and preparing for each one, ‘just in case.’ Maybe it’s a lack of faith, but I call it good sense. Either way, I can’t help myself, so I’ll just take it as Your special gift to me and take the ridicule.  And when the lights suddenly all go out, may I just run over and humbly crank up the generator. And, although I am giggling inside, may I never say, “I told you so!” J Amen.

Ralph