Setting Sail
Beloved People of God,
It’s interesting to ask people what they know about Jesus. When you get a chance this week, slip it into conversation and see what they say. Most people who are asked about David will know about Goliath. Those who are asked about Joseph might mention his coat of many colors. Many, when asked about Jesus, think about the sea. Jesus in the boat with his disciples. Jesus walking on the water. Jesus calming the sea. That’s a great place to start!
You might know the story of Jesus calming the sea well, but what might be surprising to you, even if you've followed Jesus for years, is the immediate context of the story. After delivering the Sermon on the Mount and healing several outsiders (the Jewish leper, the Roman Centurion’s servant, and Peter’s mother-in-law), Jesus told His disciples it was time to “go to the other side” (Matthew 8.18). The Gospel tells us when Jesus “got into the boat, his disciples followed Him” (8.23). That’s a beautiful sentiment. It’s worthy of being stitched onto a grandmother’s throw pillow or one of those fancy calligraphy paintings in a crafts store. It’s beautiful, but dangerous!
No sooner do they follow Jesus from shore (and Jesus finally gets a moment to rest from the constant demands of ministry) all hell breaks loose! The Sea of Galilee was known for extreme storms, but this is something else. Matthew says a mega seismos swelled up. The word seismos is most commonly associated with earthquakes (8.24). This is no ordinary storm, and following Jesus led His disciples right into it.
Perhaps you’re in the middle of a storm, and you feel like you’re not going to make it through. You’re angry with God because following Him led you here and you’re losing hope! Take a breath. Cry out your prayer to Jesus in the storm and anchor your faith Him anew because, friend, it’s in the storm where we meet with Jesus who is fully God and fully man. He knows what we’re going through. He’s been through it too. Yes, and Jesus is fully God because by the power of His voice He commands the winds and waves to be still. It is in the boat beyond the safety of shore we behold Jesus who is our Savior (Jude 1.24-25).
For Christ the King,
Brett