Noah’s “Good Catch”
As Noah lived faithfully, in a world that never really caught what it means to walk by faith, he took on a singular task that had nothing to do with what his contemporaries believed life was about. For 100 years, his life would be dedicated to building an enormous ship, apparently land-locked. We can hear the snickers and see the head shakes, “Have you heard about nutty Noah?!”
To be faithful in a world that largely either rejects Christ or manufactures its own idol-like theological systems and worship forms, is always going to be a minority venture, (Mt. 7:13). Because we are outnumbered, we need not doubt that our calling to live faithfully is mistaken. Minorities have been right before. Noah and his family alone (8 people), received a calling to build this albatross ark – but did not let go of that gift which would ultimately be their deliverance.
The famous chapter of faith, Hebrews 11, grants this 100+ year story of Noah’s faithfulness, 1 verse: “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)
The underlined word “reverence” could be translated “good catch.” God delivered this astonishing pass into Noah’s hands, Noah caught it, and ran with it… for 100 years through what must have been an onslaught of perpetual ridicule. He and his team reached the goal.
To revere God is to receive His blessing, His message, and God Himself, and hold it as a sacred calling, for a lifetime of church building, faith walking, and love. It also means that sometimes a project designed for good (like an ark for saving from a deluge), also has a ballast of judgment, not obvious, but not just implied.
The cross of Christ was also an ark. It was chiefly for salvation, but our shamed, stripped, beaten, and ridiculed Savior had a message for all: get on this ark, or else shame and suffering and death are the option. At times it is right to tell our friends judgment is coming; but, of course, we say – an ark is built and waiting for you… Christ and His cross and empty grave.
Prayer: : Lord Jesus Christ, Your life exuded love. May ours also as we are moved by Your salvation
accomplished in the work of the cross and Your rising to new life.
Give us a sober spirit to say that we believe there will be a judgment at the end.
And may we joyfully share – Christ is our ark of salvation. Amen.
