[Greek] παύω (pauō), [Latin] cessare, [Latin] desinere, [Latin] coercere: to stop, to pause, to cease, to quit, to come to an end, to end; Lk.5:4, Lk.8:24, Lk.11:1, Acts 5:42, Acts 6:13, Acts 20:1,31, Acts 21:32, 1Cor.13:8, Eph.1:16, Col.1:9, Heb.10:2, 1Pet.3:10, 1Pet.4:1
Those times when we need Jesus to pause the storms in our lives
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to end, to stop, to silence, to keep back, to give rest, to leave off, and to depose.
Sophocles’ Antigone 963: “To quell the god-inspired women.”
Homer’s Iliad 1.207: “Cease from strife.”
Sophocle’s Philoctetes 1424: “You shall be healed of your cruel sickness.”
Euripides: Medea 93: “She will not let go of her wrath.”
Homer’s Odyssey 20.274: “Now we have silenced them.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 397: “Whom you are trying to oust.”
Euripides’ Orestes 571: “Have put an end to this custom.”
Homer’s Odyssey 5.492: “Free him from toilsome weariness.”
Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 8.6.3: “Not remove from their positions.”
Old Testament: This term means to cease, to desist, to leave off, to remove, to complete, to console, to repent, to take a breath, to refresh, to be peaceful, to return, and to restore.
New Testament: This term means to cease, to subside, to finish, to stop, and to cause to cease. Jesus got into the boat with the disciples and told them to cross to the other side of the lake. When a storm came, the disciples became fearful and Jesus caused the storm to subside. After Jesus finished praying, the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. Jesus teaches them the Our Father prayer. The apostles, rejoicing that they were flogged in the name of Jesus, did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah Jesus. Jesus provides a superior one time sacrifice. If the Old Testament sacrifices were sufficient, these sacrifices would have ceased to be offered. Ceasing of activities (actions) occur in other scriptural examples.
Scripture:
Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consequences of sin?” Heb.10:2
Jesus offers a superior once and only sacrifice. On the other hand, the Old Testament sacrifices are continually needed to remove sins. It was impossible for these Old Testament sacrifices to cease.
“And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming about the Messiah, Jesus.” Acts 5:42
The Apostles were rejoicing, having to suffer in Jesus’ name. The Apostles were unceasing in the teaching and proclaiming about Jesus.
“They came and woke Him saying, ‘Master, master, we are perishing!’ He awakened, rebuked the wind and the waves, and they subsided and there was a calm.” Lk.8:24
Jesus uses His divine powers to calm the storm in response to the fears of the disciples. In response, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith.
Conclusion:
Pause, coerce, desist, cease, cessation, pausing
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to see the many uses (meanings) for ceasing. In some situations, it is simply a matter of stopping (ceasing) an action (activity). Sophocles illustrates subduing or suppressing a god-inspired woman. He also points out just being healed from an affliction. Homer references silencing someone. Sophocles references ousting someone from power. We all can identify with being free from some toilsome weariness.
In the Old Testament, this term, used extensively, has many meanings.
In the New Testament, this term, besides being used to simply cease, refers to important aspects of Jesus’ divine authority. This authority is illustrated with miracles, teaching and proclaiming, and Jesus’ sacrificial authority. Upon His suggestion, as the disciples’ boat moves across the lake, a storm later appears. Perhaps Jesus causes the storm in order to test the disciples’ faith. It looks like the disciples failed His test, by showing their lack of faith.
Ironically, Gamaliel, a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin, makes a wise and prophetic statement concerning actions. If these actions are of human origin, it will destroy itself. If these actions come from God, you will not be able to destroy these actions. The disciples were joyous for being persecuted in the name of the Lord. This only increased and encouraged their missionary activity. Jesus provides a far superior once and only sacrificing for the forgiveness of sins. This is in contrast to the Old Testament sacrifices which needed to be repeated again and again.
Current events: As we are continually facing the aftermath (consequences) of this pandemic, we are faced with issues such as the paused govt. assistance checks, school, sports, and employment prospects. The govt. checks have been paused because of political differences (squabbles). Many of us are now faced with whether attending school in person should be paused or whether should it be continued on-line. School openings have been delayed or paused. There continues the debate of whether sports events should continue. Some organizations have cancelled or paused games or seasons. This pandemic continues to create havoc, distress and uncertainties in pausing or delaying economic growth.
In a sense, we all are together in the same boat experiencing these stormy seas. We all need to call upon Jesus for His help so that these storms can subside.