The Storm
Many are familiar with the story in the Bible where Jesus and His disciples pile into a boat at the end of a long day, to cross the sea (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25). Soon after setting out, a storm suddenly arises and water begins to flood the boat. While the disciples succumb to panic, fearing for their lives, Jesus does the remarkable. He peacefully sleeps on a cushion in the stern of the boat. It’s important to note, this is no fine sailing yacht, no fancy cruise liner, or even a bulky Mayflower built to endure a little adverse weather. This is a small boat, with a few seats and perhaps a couple fishing nets on board. From a physical standpoint Jesus was riding through that storm every bit as much as the rest of the men. He was just as wet and tossed about as any of them, yet the word of God says He slept. Indeed He slept, though the boat was rocking and the waves were filling his bed. He was out.
In this perilous moment, when the situation seemed hopeless, and death eminent, Matthew records that the disciples wake Jesus, “Lord, save us!” We’re going to drown!” The men actually have to rouse him from his slumber. Now I’ve heard people explain this story away, crediting the level of His exhaustion, but honestly this doesn’t do the passage justice. The disciples would have been just as physically exhausted, yet they were fully alert, and at that moment probably trying to bail water out of their vessel. The contrast is important. Jesus wasn’t frantic and preparing for his demise. Jesus was sleeping, sweetly and soundly.
When he finally wakes, he responds, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”, then without the slightest hint of fear, Jesus stands and tells the storm, “Quiet! Be still!”, and miraculously the storm responds, and all is calm. Again and again the disciples struggle with lack of faith, yet they walked with God in the flesh. Jesus wasn’t sleeping in that boat because He was just too tired to stay awake, He was sleeping because He knew the Father had a plan and He trusted in that plan regardless of how the details were worked out. When He lay down His head to rest, He wasn’t worried about tomorrow, what He would eat, how far He might walk, how much He needed new sandals, how He would manage the crowds, how He would contend with the Pharisees. He just rested. Jesus wanted His disciples to experience this level of faith in God’s sovereignty over all things. He wanted them to know there is no storm He can’t calm, and just like the disciples, He wants us to know this too, and He wants us to understand that storms bring life-giving rain to nourish our faith and grow us in our walk with him. So next time we hear thunder or the voice of God whispers a storm warning, we should try to remember, the creator of the universe is in control. Rest easy, be at peace and trust He is already in the midst of it all.
