BY JACK WARD
Rabbi Feldman had been having trouble with his congregation. It seemed they could agree upon nothing. Controversy filled the air until the Sabbath itself became an area of conflict and unhappiness filled the synagogue.
The president of the congregation organized a meeting of 10 elders and the rabbi. They met in the synagogue’s conference room, sitting around a magnificent mahogany table. One by one, the issues were dealt with, and on each, it became increasingly apparent that the rabbi was a lonely voice in the wilderness.
The president said, “Come, Rabbi, enough of this. Let us vote and allow the majority to rule.” He passed out the slips of paper, and each man made his mark. The slips were collected and the president said, “You may examine them, Rabbi. It is 11 to one against you. We have the majority.”
Whereupon the rabbi rose to his feet.
“So,” he said, “You now think because of the vote that you are right and I am wrong. Well, I stand here — and he raised his arms impressively — and call upon the Holy One of Israel to give us a sign that I am right and you are wrong.”
Suddenly, there came a frightful crack of thunder and a brilliant flash of lightning that struck the mahogany table and cracked it in two. The room was filled with smoke and the president and the elders were hurled to the floor.
But the rabbi was untouched, his eyes flashing and a grim smile on his face.
Slowly, the president lifted himself above what was left of the table. His hair was singed, his glasses hung from one ear, and his clothing was in disarray. He said, “All right, 11 to two. But, we still have the majority.”
Peter wanted a sign that it was Jesus walking on the water. Jesus honored his desire by granting him the power to walk on the water. Then Peter took his eyes off Jesus and allowed the storm to grip him with fear, and he began to sink. “Lord, save me!”
The Bible says that a “wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.“ There are times in our lives when we think we need a sign from God. These are times when we take our eyes off Jesus. And there are times when we feel we are sinking into the darkness of despair. This story teaches us that in the midst of our desire for a sign, in the midst of our doubts, instead of looking for a sign we ought to cry out, “Lord, save me!”
And God will reach out to us, and with a strong grip, pull us out of the pit and away from the storm, into the calmness of his presence.
The only sign we need, the only sign we have, is Jesus Himself. And that, my friend, is more than enough.
Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on 98.9 WSIP FM. Check out the Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page and our website at .tomahawkmbc.com.