The wind howls with a heavy downpour of rain. Bolts of lightning flash across the sky, followed by loud claps of thunder. Where I live in the Chicago area, we get frequent strong thunderstorms like this. My son and I enjoy sitting on the front porch in safety, and watch these storms. However we’ve never been in a storm on the sea, which can be dangerous. Today we read of the disciples out on the Sea of Galilee in the midst of such a storm. Let’s read of their experience, and see how it can strengthen our faith.
After a very busy time of teaching and ministering to the crowds of people, Jesus wanted to take the apostles off by themselves to rest, so He instructs them to get in a boat and cross over the Sea of Galilee (vs 35 - 36). The Sea of Galilee is actually a lake, with the Jordan River entering in the north and exiting in the south. It is approximately 8 miles wide and 13 miles long at its greatest points. The Sea of Galilee lies approximately 680 feet below sea level, making it the lowest freshwater lake on earth. The lake is surrounded by large hills, and winds tend to intensify there. These can cause frequent strong and unexpected storms on the lake.
It was one of these sudden storms that hit the disciples that day. Several of the disciples, such as Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen, and earned their living on the Sea of Galilee. Several other of the twelve disciples grew up near the lake, and were familiar with these storms, and yet this storm was so severe it caused them to fear and panic. The waves were extraordinarily high, washing over the sides of the boat, threatening to bring it down (vs 37). Satan frequently throws such storms into our lives.
As the storm was raging, the disciples look over to Jesus. He could help them in this situation, they must have thought. However when they looked around for Him, there was Jesus in the back of the boat, fast asleep (vs 38). Doesn’t He care they wondered, and even asked Him when they woke Him up.
We may not be on a boat during a storm, but we all are in, or have gone through, a storm of some sort. Our storm may be a catastrophic illness we, or someone we love faces. Perhaps someone has been unemployed, or at a low paying job, and the bills are piling up. The house may be slipping into foreclosure. Those are lightning strikes in the storm! How about a marriage falling apart, a spouse or parent who is violent and abusive. The types of storms we face are countless, and never seem to end.
We cry out to Jesus for help, just as these disciples did. Sometimes it seems as if He is asleep when we don’t get a response. It seemed to the disciples that Jesus was unaware or unconcerned. Jesus, though, does care. Jesus was asleep because, though He was fully God, He was also fully human and was exhausted. He knew that whatever He would face each day, He could trust and rest in the Father. In our storms we can either worry and assume Jesus doesn’t care, or we can resist fear and trust Him.
When Jesus awoke and saw the fear of the disciples, He immediately came to their rescue and spoke to the storm, bringing a halt to its force (vs 39). Storms normally subside gradually, but when the Creator gave the order the storm obeyed and stopped instantly.
After Jesus had calmed the storm, and the disciples were now safe, they questioned among themselves as to who exactly Jesus was. They had witnessed healings, and feeding multitudes, but here He was controlling nature! The disciples underestimated Him. Jesus was revealing to them that He was Lord of all nature. He was the Creator.
His power does apply to our own situation, as well. Jesus has the power to handle whatever crisis is in our life right now. When we have a storm outside of our boat, let the Master and Creator into our boat!
Thank you Sarah. This spoke to my heart.
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