Jesus Calms the Storm

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 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 8:22-25

Steps: 3, 11, 12

In this story Jesus and the disciples are traveling across what is called the Sea of Galilee. While traveling in the boat Jesus falls asleep and apparently the Sea of Galilee was big enough to have some pretty severe storms on its surface. While sleeping the storm arrives and threatens to fill the boat with rain and waves. The disciples fear for their lives and they call out to Jesus to help them. When Jesus sees what is happening he stands up and commands the storm to stop and it obeys Him. The disciples are totally stunned at what they saw and they do not know what to think of Jesus now. They had seen Him do many miracles and this one is beyond anything that their theology could predict. They are beginning to think that Jesus might be more even than a prophet. They are beginning to think that Jesus might be the Messiah the One sent directly from God to mankind. All through the gospels Jesus claims to have been sent from heaven by the Father. But even today that is a concept that is difficult for us to process. That God Himself, the Creator of the universe would come to Earth as a man requires much faith to believe such a thing but yet the data demanded this verdict.

Prayer for Today: God, You know how little faith we have. We want the facts and nothing but the facts and yet we are afraid of the conclusion that the facts are leading us to. Help us to look at these stories and draw the right conclusion – the You sent Your Son Jesus to come to Earth to show us how You think and act in the middle of chaos and confusion. Help us to have the confidence to ask for Your help in the middle of our crises, and help us not to use our proven failure methods to rescue us. Help us to find the faith necessary to work hand in hand with You. Deliver us from ourselves and our fears.