One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him”
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There’s a catchy children’s song that is playing in my head: “With Jesus in the boat I can smile at the storm, smile at the storm, smile at the storm … As we go sailing home.” Do you know it? It’s a cute song. I really like it. But I’m wondering if it’s trite or true. Is it too carefree and nonchalant? Does it do justice to the hardships of life? Or does it nail home a lesson the disciples themselves needed to learn?
We’ll come back to that in a moment, but first the story.
Imagine you’re in the boat with those disciples on storm-tossed Galilee. Storms descend on that lake so suddenly and violently that experienced sailors are justly terrified. That’s the scene here. Wind is flying, waves are crashing, and the boat – surging up and down – is on the verge of being swamped. Some of these disciples are fishermen, some landlubbers. But all are petrified. Rightly so, for the danger is clear and present.
They are not alone in the boat – Jesus is with them. But he’s sound asleep. Terrified, the disciples shake him awake. “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” Mark, in his Gospel, lets us know that they added an extra barb alongside: “Don’t you care?”
It’s not clear to me what the disciples expected Jesus to do. Certainly, they were not expecting what he ultimately does. Indeed, his response, face to face with the storm, is fearfully unexpected. But the sheer fact that in their panic they turn to him, seeking to draw him into their need, indicates an awareness that when situations are dire, when no one else can help, he’s the one to turn to.
Jesus stands tall in the pitching boat, and speaks sharply to the raging storm, rebuking its ferocity, commanding it to cease and desist. Suddenly, all is calm. Then, turning to his disciples, he asks simply: “Where is your faith?”
It’s a question they would have carried with them the rest of their lives – a question that would come ringing back again into their imaginations each time opposition arose in face of their preaching, or conflicts sparked in the newborn church, or crowds turned against them, or persecution peaked, or authorities (religious or civil) confronted them. They would sense again the rising wind and waves and would hear the Master’s voice, urging them on by asking his question: “Where is your faith?”
At that first hearing, they had little. They responded in fear, asking incredulously, ”Who is this?” But later, after the cross and the resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit, they knew him well as the Sovereign Lord, and faith would rise each time instead of fear. They knew their Lord was with them. They responded to storms – many of them, perilous and oppressive – with faith.
So, it strikes me that the children’s song is too simplistic. But not trite. It captures the essential element. If Jesus the Sovereign Lord is with us – the One who commands even wind and waves – then though we may not smile as storms break over us, we can boldly place less focus on them and more on him. That’s faith.
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Lord Jesus – you who command the wind and the waves – welcome into my boat. Thank you that you are here. I turn my focus from the storm to look directly at you. Lead me and guide me in it all. For your glory. Amen.
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Reflect:
What current wind and waves are catching your attention? Turn your eyes to Jesus. Present him your concerns. He is with you.
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Photo by Dawn Casey on Unsplash
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