Learning from Jesus - Pt. 8

 

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:23-28 ESV).

 

I am rarely surprised by a snake. Perhaps that’s because I am vigilant when walking in areas that might be prime habitat. The firewood pile is not one of those places. So, when Kyle called out to me to come to the woodpile, I was a bit surprised to see a pretty good-sized rat snake hanging out among the wood. It was a good place to hunt for small rodents for an easy meal. However, it was not a place I wanted to meet him. I hate them, good ones and bad ones. It always scares me a bit. I really don’t like them! We couldn’t get the snake out of the woodpile and decided he was just minding his own business anyway/ Evidently he got his meal and was gone the next day… whew!

 

That’s sort of the background for our reading today. Jesus’ disciples had been with him long enough to have watched him step in, heal the sick, provide food, and do other miracles. And yet there in a boat, in the midst of “a furious storm,” fear showed up again. This storm was probably bigger than most of the storms these fishermen had seen over the years—and the moment of panic set in. I sometimes wonder if they had forgotten who was in the boat with them, or if maybe they were just annoyed that he was sleeping.

 

They panicked and woke Jesus. They expressed their wonder that he was asleep in the midst of the storm in the first place, but to leave them helpless in it was even worse. It is then that He calms the sea and stops the wind. Everything returns to normal, and Jesus’ asks them His question: “Why are you afraid?” This same question applies to us today just as it did to his first followers: If you know me, “why are you afraid?” In what difficulties do you hear him say, “Trust me.” He will always care for our needs. Trust Him!