Does anyone remember the story in Luke 8 when the disciples and Jesus got into a boat – like a normal day. But this day was not at all destined to be normal. There was nothing in the atmosphere that spoke of a storm coming. Storm Team 8 didn’t even have time to set up their gear and pick up the signal for radar. The warm, sunny day ahead turned treacherous, dangerous and the squall came up suddenly. Remember once they set sail, Jesus said he was going to the lower deck and catch a few Zs. In that raging, roiling sea he fell asleep. Unbelievable, right? The boat was tossed and turned like a ping pong ball on a class 9 river. Taking on water, the boat was in serious trouble and where was the one dependable person? In the bottom of the boat sleeping soundly.
I can just hear the disciples, can’t you? We have to get the master up. He can’t be sleeping when we’re in so much trouble. What if we capsize and are overtaken by water. We can’t leave Jesus asleep when we are fighting for our lives here. So they pounded down the ladder and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” Now I have to ask you – is that a self-fulfilling prophecy or not! I wonder if they could have calmed themselves by praying for courage first, then said something like, “Master, could you come to the upper deck and look at this crazy storm. We need your help.” Well – they probably would have added urgency to the message like “We need your help – like NOW!” They were human after all.
Jesus rose from where he slept, “rebuked the wind and the raging waters” I can see him stretch his arms into the pouring rain and saying “Peace,,,Peace…Be still.” And the sea was calm, the waves barely rippling against the side of the boat. Can’t you hear the gently lapping of water, and air as wispy as silk across your face? Peace, peace, be still. That’s all it took from the Master, Savior, Jesus.
Before he let them get away though, Jesus had to know “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. This was the ultimate teachable moment and these men who believed in him, served him, grew in knowledge about him, and loved him were absolutely amazed. They asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Psalm 107:29 says He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”
Who is this Jesus who has the power to calm the storm, bring peace to our hearts, keep us safe, and brings us hope? I’m going to praise him in the storm – the one in the atmosphere today and the one I might encounter tomorrow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCpP0mFD9F0
Because of Grace we Press On