Design by Debra Davis
Today’s Bible Reading:
Genesis 24:52-26:16; Matthew 8:18-34; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 3:7-8
The picture of Jesus asleep in the boat while the disciples were terrified by the storm that had kicked up has always caught my attention. Every time I read the account in Matthew 8:23-27 I just stop and give thanks to the One who has authority to silence the howling wind and calm the raging seas. The first thing that always catches my attention is that Jesus is sound asleep in the boat. I imagine the disciples are scrambling and yelling to one another as they work to keep the boat afloat. Waves are crashing over the sides and into the boat. And Jesus is asleep in the back. This Is just beyond my comprehension.
When the disciples wake Jesus and cry “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” it is clear they are in a very dire situation. Some of these men were experienced sailors having made their living on the sea as fishermen. I do not think for a minute they were exaggerating their predicament. There have been times in my life when I felt like I was drowning; not in a literal sense mind you, but simply feeling very threatened by my circumstances. Sometimes it feels like Jesus is sleeping in the back of my boat and not even aware of what is happening to me. So I go and “wake” Him, just like the disciples. I know He is the only one who can rescue me. I even have the knowledge that He can calm the storms of my life with just a word. I have asked Him to on several occasions and sometimes He does and sometimes He does not. Sometimes instead of calming the storms He takes my hand and guides me safely through the storm. I have learned to stay very close to Him during those times.
In this particular case however, Jesus speaks a word of rebuke and the wind and waves are calmed. In fact, my translation states, “and suddenly there was great calm.” (emphasis mine) The disciples are amazed and wonder just who Jesus is that He can command the wind and waves this way. Well, we do know because we have been given the whole big picture. This Jesus who was asleep in their boat, He is the same One who spoke creation into being. Of course He has power over creation. He is the Word that the apostle John speaks of who spoke it all into being in the first place. He is God. I just cannot imagine how difficult this must have been to grasp for the disciples. At this point, the things they have witnessed have all pointed to this fact, that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah. The King of kings and Lord of lords. And yet, it seems to be our nature to be slow to believe. My burden today is not that the storms are too great for Jesus to handle, but that my faith is too small to believe. I read about the wonders God has performed and yet am still surprised when He acts.
I was recently engaged in a discussion about “Doubting Thomas,” the disciple who would not believe Jesus had risen from the dead until he put his hands into the wounds of Jesus’ hands and side. There is more of Doubting Thomas in me than I would like to admit.
When the disciples wake Jesus and cry “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” it is clear they are in a very dire situation. Some of these men were experienced sailors having made their living on the sea as fishermen. I do not think for a minute they were exaggerating their predicament. There have been times in my life when I felt like I was drowning; not in a literal sense mind you, but simply feeling very threatened by my circumstances. Sometimes it feels like Jesus is sleeping in the back of my boat and not even aware of what is happening to me. So I go and “wake” Him, just like the disciples. I know He is the only one who can rescue me. I even have the knowledge that He can calm the storms of my life with just a word. I have asked Him to on several occasions and sometimes He does and sometimes He does not. Sometimes instead of calming the storms He takes my hand and guides me safely through the storm. I have learned to stay very close to Him during those times.
In this particular case however, Jesus speaks a word of rebuke and the wind and waves are calmed. In fact, my translation states, “and suddenly there was great calm.” (emphasis mine) The disciples are amazed and wonder just who Jesus is that He can command the wind and waves this way. Well, we do know because we have been given the whole big picture. This Jesus who was asleep in their boat, He is the same One who spoke creation into being. Of course He has power over creation. He is the Word that the apostle John speaks of who spoke it all into being in the first place. He is God. I just cannot imagine how difficult this must have been to grasp for the disciples. At this point, the things they have witnessed have all pointed to this fact, that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah. The King of kings and Lord of lords. And yet, it seems to be our nature to be slow to believe. My burden today is not that the storms are too great for Jesus to handle, but that my faith is too small to believe. I read about the wonders God has performed and yet am still surprised when He acts.
I was recently engaged in a discussion about “Doubting Thomas,” the disciple who would not believe Jesus had risen from the dead until he put his hands into the wounds of Jesus’ hands and side. There is more of Doubting Thomas in me than I would like to admit.
May grace, peace, and mercy abound,
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