Jesus Calms the Storm

Then Jesus got into the boat and startedacross the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake,with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples wentand woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? Youhave so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, andsuddenly there was a great calm.        

The disciples were amazed. “Who is thisman?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23-27, NewLiving Translation)

Imagineyou are out in a boat on Lake Superior. Clouds gather in the sky, the windpicks up, and soon, waves toss your vessel. “The Wreck of the EdmundFitzgerald” starts eerily playing in your head.

Thisman you’ve been following, who has performed some miracles right in front ofyour eyes, is sleeping in the back of the boat. You look at your partners andwant to ask, “How can he sleep through this?” But a gust of wind knocks youover, almost tipping you overboard.

“Wakeup, wake up!” one of your friends shouts to the sleeping man, shaking him. “Weneed your help!”

Theman opens his eyes, rubbing his hands over his face. “What is the matter withyou? You’ve been with me all day and know how tired I was.”

“Butwe’re afraid we are going to sink. Can’t you calm the storm?”

Theman looks around, shaking his head ever so slightly. “This storm cannot hurtyou. Where is your faith?”

Youand your friends tightly grasp the sides of the vessel, staring at the man,trying to grasp what he means.

“Allright then,” he finally says. “Wind and wave, calm down so that my friends canrelax.”

Thewind and rain immediately stop. The boat, which had been tossed in the wavesseconds before, rocks gently in the water.

Whatwould you think at that point? Who was this man in the boat with you?

Ofcourse, we know it was Jesus, the Son of God. And that is why He was able tosleep through the storm; He knew that His Father in Heaven would protect Him.Are you able to get through the storms of life without worrying, withoutwondering where God is in your time of need? Is your faith strong enough?