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Scripture for this week: Luke 8:22-25
Additional Scripture: Matthew
28:18-20
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| Illustration by Jago, from The
Jesus Storybook Bible. Original appears here.
Several years ago, I flew from Michigan to a friend's
wedding in California by way of Texas. The Houston
airport was under a tornado warning, and our plane was routed to Corpus
Christi to wait out the storm.
The plane creaked and pitched through a black sky. Lightning
electrified the clouds; thunder drummed the top of the plane. I
tightened my seatbelt, gripped the armrests, and shut my eyes.
At one point, the rollicking became so pronounced that people on
the plane were screaming. We were terrified.
How I wished the captain of the plane would have told
us something reassuring. He didn't. But he did something
better: He got us down safely.
I have never been at sea in a storm. But when I read this
passage about Jesus sleeping during a violent storm at sea, I
remember that plane ride.
How could anyone sleep through that?
Luke tells us that it's Jesus' idea to go out in the boat.
"Let's cross to the other side of the lake," he
says. So the disciples, experienced fishermen among them, set
sail. It doesn't take long before Jesus is asleep.
A breeze kicks up into a soaking wind.
Waves crest over the stern faster than the disciples can
bail. Fishing nets go floating overboard. The disciples are
terrified on two different levels.
They are terrified that their lives will be lost at sea; and
they are terrified because Jesus doesn't seem to be watching out for
them. Their leader snores on.
"Master, Master!" The disciples cry.
"We are about to die!"
Subtext: DO something!
So Jesus does. Like a bleary-eyed parent whose squirrelly
children are disrupting the peace, he rebukes the wind and the waves.
Be still, Jesus commands the forces of nature. Go back to bed.
And much to the fearful amazement of the disciples, the wind and
the waves obey!
When all is calm, Jesus asks the disciples, "Where is your
faith?"
The disciples don't answer Jesus' question. I wonder how
they felt. Relieved? Ashamed? Drawn into greater
faith, the kind Jesus wants them to exhibit?
Luke tells us a different kind of fear comes over the disciples
as they marvel at the kind of Master they are following.
"Who is this--that water and wind obey him?" they
wonder.
This Jesus--who commands water and wind--is also with us.
Lord, increase our faith.
Reflect
1. What "storm" are you facing? In what
ways has the promise of Jesus' presence with you brought peace in the
storm?
2. If Jesus has given you a particular awareness of
his presence with you in the storm, thank him. If the storm is still
raging and it feels as if Jesus is sleeping, let his promise never
to leave you echo through your mind and heart.
3. Listen to the song "Don't
Be Afraid" by John Bell.
Meditate on the truth that Jesus never leaves you, no matter what.
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