Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

This is one of the most fascinating passages. I love how such an ordinary event as a boat ride provides us with an object lesson about fear and faith. A few thoughts about it:
  • Jesus must have been exhausted. Sometimes I forget what a drain on his body it must have been to have been in such demand. Crowds were always chasing after him.
  • The wind and the waves were real and scary. The men on this boat were experienced fishermen and not ignorant of such storms. Their fear was realistic.
  • I have no context for a person who can calm such a storm simply with his words. Jesus is a messiah like no other. His power leaves me in awe.
Lastly, Jesus words about faith so challenges me to trust God when life's storms assault me. Perhaps the lasting message in this story is that storms will come but we should not be afraid because God is with us in it.. he will hear us when we pray.. he will help.

Thank you for your presence in my trials Lord.

2 comments:

  1. Mike Erich the Mad TheologianSaturday, November 19, 2011 3:23:00 PM

    One of the things that always impresses me about the story is that Jesus told them to go across to the other side. Sometimes when trails come we can think that we are out of God's will, but sometimes we can be doing exactly what God told us to do.

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  2. WandaSaturday, November 19, 2011 4:38:00 PM

    I agree Mike....that's a good statement.

    I love the stoies of Jesus and how many times he was in a boat...either alone, after the death of John the Baptist, or with the fishermen. He must have loved the water...but then, why not, He created it.

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