One night, as Jesus finished teaching from a boat many parables, He suggested that He and the disciples go across to the other side of the lake. They left the crowd behind and set sail. As they sailed, a fierce storm suddenly formed. The winds caused massive waves to beat against the side of the boat, and the boat began to be overcome with the water that was coming in. Even the experienced sailors thought for sure that this storm would cause them to sink.
Jesus was in the back of the boat, sound asleep on a cushion, when the disciples shook him awake, saying, “Do you even care that we are about to die because of this storm?!”
Without verbally answering them, Jesus stood up and shouted into the winds and commanded the waves: “Be still!”
And immediately it was just as He ordered. The winds were gone, the waves were gentled. All was calm.
He turned and faced His disciples. “Why were you so afraid? Where is your faith?”
The disciples were still afraid, though perhaps a different type of fear than at first. They began to question, “Who is this Jesus? Even the winds and waves obey Him.”
This is a true story from God’s Word.
Mark 4:35-41
“To really trust in Christ, we have to realize that he may let storms rage for a while, but he absolutely does care! He cared so much that He was thrown into the raging sea of God’s wrath [for us]. That is proof we can trust Him to not let us sink in all the other trials and troubles that might come our way. Faith is looking at the evidence, acting on the truth with an act of the will, but also delighting in the love of Christ for us on the cross.” (Tim Keller)
“His love in times past forbids me to think
He’ll leave me at last in troubles to sink.
By prayer let me wrestle-then He will perform.
With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.”
