Emphasis Preaching Journal
Running against wind and tide
Commentary
Nautical metaphor can be helpful to the preacher in dealing with the Old Testament and gospel readings today. The words of both were spoken to communities of faith, keepers of the vision of God's new day, in times of adverse wind and tide. I asked a lobsterman friend what was essential when running against both wind and tide. He replied, "You have to keep a strong hand on the wheel and stay on course." Such was the situation in the community around the unknown prophet and later the early church embarking into the stream of history.
