Jesus Calms the Storm

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.        

The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23-27, New Living Translation)

Imagine you are out in a boat on Lake Superior. Clouds gather in the sky, the wind picks up, and soon, waves toss your vessel. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” starts eerily playing in your head.

This man you’ve been following, who has performed some miracles right in front of your eyes, is sleeping in the back of the boat. You look at your partners and want to ask, “How can he sleep through this?” But a gust of wind knocks you over, almost tipping you overboard.

“Wake up, wake up!” one of your friends shouts to the sleeping man, shaking him. “We need your help!”

The man opens his eyes, rubbing his hands over his face. “What is the matter with you? You’ve been with me all day and know how tired I was.”

“But we’re afraid we are going to sink. Can’t you calm the storm?”

The man looks around, shaking his head ever so slightly. “This storm cannot hurt you. Where is your faith?”

You and your friends tightly grasp the sides of the vessel, staring at the man, trying to grasp what he means.

“All right then,” he finally says. “Wind and wave, calm down so that my friends can relax.”

The wind and rain immediately stop. The boat, which had been tossed in the waves seconds before, rocks gently in the water.

What would you think at that point? Who was this man in the boat with you?

Of course, we know it was Jesus, the Son of God. And that is why He was able to sleep through the storm; He knew that His Father in Heaven would protect Him. Are you able to get through the storms of life without worrying, without wondering where God is in your time of need? Is your faith strong enough?