Jesus Calms A Storm On The Sea
This story is recorded in all three synoptic gospels.
After Jesus finished teaching his followers, he sent them away with a blessing, then entered a fishing boat to go to the other side of the lake. Other smaller boats went with them. Jesus lay down to take a nap. While he was sleeping a storm arose and nearly over took the boat with water.
Richard and I were on a cruise, and when we went through a certain pass around the tip of Italy's boot near Sicily in the Strait of Messina, the ship tossed back and forth. While at dinner, the waves were so high that we could see them splashing against the window. At bedtime, Richard was up all night, barely getting any sleep, while I slept like a baby, being rocked, or was it that I slept like Jesus in the midst of a storm? I don't think he was worried, just a little seasick. Our reaction to a storm may come down to our personality, but sometimes it comes down to our faith. No matter the situation, God is responsible for the plan, so our response is to act when he tells us to. Sometimes we must stay quiet and allow the pieces fall where they may, but other times we must intervene and take charge of the situation. God will give you the go-ahead when the time is right if he requires action.
The men cried out to Jesus for his help, and he rebuked the storm. Then fear came over them because who can command a storm other than God himself? They cried out in prayer, and Jesus awoke and calmed their storm. Sometimes he doesn't rebuke the storm, but rejoices over us when we pass through it in his strength.
This poem by George Herbert says it plainly:
When winds and waves assault my keel,
He doth preserve it, he doth steer,
Ev'n when the boat seems most to reel.
Storms are the triumph of his art;
Though he may close his eyes, yet not his heart.
And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. Luke 8:25
