Jesus Calms the Storm
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 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.
24 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.25 “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.”
This story occurs in all three of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). As I drove by the lake shore with some friends today I noticed the rough water spraying up over what is left of the snow and ice. Another bleak day in Michigan seems to make everyone long for the warmth and promise of spring. In the midst of the gray, rainy, whitecaps stood the lighthouse, a tourist attraction yes, but also a reminder of the safety of light in the darkness.
This encounter, like many others, happens on the water. The Disciples are people comfortable with boats, fishing, and being with Jesus. This time a squall rose up. It was scary. It was rough. Jesus was sleeping. Jesus must have been exhausted. They wake him and tell him of the storm. (In Mark the Disciples question, "Don't you care that we're going to drown?") After rebuking the wind and waves Jesus drops the tough question. "Where is your faith?"
This question can be a conversation-stopper. Where is your faith? I imagine the Disciples felt that they too had been rebuked. Why would they think that Jesus would let them drown? After spending so much time with him, didn't they realize that He was filled with the power of God?
It's in times like these when our faith can easily become questionable. Rocky seas shake our confidence. Chilling rain takes away our passion, leaving us complacent. Fear can stop us in our tracks unsure of which way to turn. Have you ever turned to the Lord with the question, "Don't you care?"
There stands the lighthouse, unshaken, immovable, a pillar of strength and light. While Jesus slept the Disciples were not able to hear that familiar phrase "do not be afraid." Fear overtook their knowledge of the sea. Raging thunder took away their ability to think. Jesus was the answer. Faith was the answer.
So today I ask you, where is your faith? We have been on this Lent journey for quite some time, how has your journey been traveled? Do you feel you are in the midst of a storm or are you standing strong in the light? Is the Spirit alive inside of you, or do you feel like you too are asleep in the boat?
Prayer: Powerful and Mighty God calm the storms in my life. Help me to trust in you as I live in the light of Christ. Strengthen my faith and help me to be the presence of light in another's darkness. Amen.
Amen.
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