Jesus Calms the Storm
Luke 8:22-25 ESV
One day Jesus got into a boat with His disciples, and He said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” Note that Jesus charted the course to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The area was largely uninhabited and, therefore, was a good place to rest.
So they set out, and as they sailed He fell asleep. The steady, gentle motion of the boat lulled Jesus to sleep. I love being rocked to sleep in a sailboat. Don’t you?
And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. Their terror was real! Storms were not unusual on the Sea of Galilee which lies 680 feet below sea level. As the air on the surrounding hills cools, it stirs up great waves on the lake. The high waves crashed into the open boat placing them all in grave danger.
And they went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” I use too many exclamation points in my writing, however the Bible does not. Exclamation points are reserved for over-the-top EXTREME situations! It must have been quite a violent storm to frighten experienced fishermen who had weathered numerous storms on Galilee.
And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. Jesus commanded the wind and the raging sea to cease. The waves flattened out immediately to a smooth, calm surface. This was unnatural and added to the amazement and fear of the disciples.
He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Besides rebuking the wind and waves, Jesus rebuked His disciples. A parallel account in Matthew 8:26 puts it in stronger terms. “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” In their panic the disciples did not stop to sort out their theology. Jesus knew that fear and faith cannot exist simultaneously. Their fear betrayed their lack of faith and confidence in Him.
And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him? His rebuke produced the desired effect. Now the disciples did not fear the storm; they feared Jesus. It means they held Him in higher awe and respect than their fear of nature. The greater fear always casts out the lesser fear.
Since we do have the time to sort out our theology, let’s ask ourselves a very pertinent question. If Jesus had remained asleep, would the ship have gone down? I suppose each one of us must come to terms with our own very personal answer to this question.
In the raging seas of life, will my faith beat back fear no matter how grave the situation? Will I continue to trust even though it seems bleak? I am thankful this story was recorded to help me choose to resolve what I will believe when my day of testing comes.
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April 2007
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