Even the Wind and the Waves…
Matthew 8:23-27
by David Jackson
The first wave over the bow didn’t concern the sailors, nor the second or the third. These were seasoned fishermen and rough seas and contrary winds were all too common occurrences in their day to day struggle to earn a living. It’s what made them tough against the odds. It’s what gave them endurance, perseverance and patience even when they returned to port with empty nets. And it’s what gave them hope; that calm waters and pleasant skies would again beckon them to return to the deep; the never-ending circle of life.
But this disturbance came out of nowhere and it wasn’t long before they realized that this storm was unlike all the others that they had endured up to this day. They were being overwhelmed by the tempest and the boat was beginning to take on water. The wind whipped spray stung their faces and soaked every inch of their bodies. Calloused hands gripped tightly to cold wet hemp trying desperately to secure sail and rudder, but to no avail. The wind, which had reached its zenith, was threatening to overturn the small vessel while the waves relentlessly pummeled against and over the sides. Knee deep water and floating debris caused once stable sea legs to buckle making the men stumble over one another.
It was time to call it. John, the youngest one in the boat, yelled over the din to the others; “We’re going to die, aren’t we?” “I believe so,” came the reply. “Prepare yourselves.” Thoughts turned inward. Recollections of family and friends flooded their memories as they prepared for the inevitable. Then, amidst the turmoil of the storm and thoughts of their impending deaths, the men suddenly noticed something that they hadn’t noticed before. Laying in the stern of the boat was one of the passengers fast asleep on a cushion. They stared at each other in disbelief as they grappled their way towards their sleeping cargo.
“Teacher! Wake up!” they cried; “How can you sleep? We’re going to drown! Don’t you care?” Covering his head with his shawl, Jesus sat up. He was amazed at their reaction to this crisis; but he wasn’t surprised. Jesus may have been asleep, but asleep didn’t mean that he was oblivious to their plight. Asleep didn’t mean that he was uncaring or that he was indifferent to their fears. In fact, he was keenly aware of their struggle for he too was soaked to the skin, he heard the winds shriek through the rigging and his body was also battered by the convulsions of the sea. No… asleep here has nothing to do with disassociation. Jesus being asleep in spite of the storm is a firm indication that He knew how to rest beneath His Fathers protective care. “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8) and “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)
As they stood there facing Jesus, he looked into each one of them and then he asked, “Where is your faith?” It wasn’t a rebuke nor was it a question that required an immediate answer. The men were perplexed and wondered among themselves; “That’s it? Where is your faith? That’s all he’s got?” But in an instant, they began to realize that when your circumstances won’t allow you to see beyond your present for hope or comfort, then recall your past. And it could have been that at this moment their lives passed before their eyes. But not their whole life, but rather the life that they had spent with Jesus up to this point. Just a few months had passed since they had witnessed the greatest sermon ever preached upon that hillside. The King Himself revealing the kingdom to the ones He loved. They remembered a soldier’s servant healed from a distance, lepers cleansed, the sick made well and demons cast into the abyss.
Now even as the boat was beginning to sink, they began to hope and with all eyes now fixed upon Jesus he stood up in the boat and faced the storm. This was going to be an epic battle against the elements. A knock down, drag out fight to the finish. Winner take all. But that’s not how it went at all. Three words. He spoke just three words. In a way that a parent lovingly and gently corrects a belligerent child, He spoke three words. “Peace, be still.” And just like that, all creation bowed down in submission to the Creator. In an instant the winds ceased and the sea became as glass.
The sun reappeared over the horizon and the men, with beards that were still dripping wet, began to ask each other in amazement, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
The boat docked safely at the destination as the fishermen were never happier to be on dry land. Jesus, continuing on his mission to reconcile the world with the Father, got out of the boat and met a man possessed by a Legion of evil spirits. Their outcome proved to be disastrous to the local pork industry. (Mark 5:9-13)
Jesus continued to reveal Himself to his disciples and to the world. The veil that had covered their spiritual eyes was steadily removed day after day until they fully realized that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth”( John 1:14) and as Peter later confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) no longer did they ask “what kind of man is this?” Because now they fully knew!
Who is this Jesus? What is this Jesus? These are questions we have to answer on our own as we navigate through today’s troubled waters. When the wind and waves combine to tear our vessel to pieces and dash us upon the rocks, who do we turn to? Remember, when Jesus asked his disciples “where is your faith?” he didn’t wait for an answer. He calmed the storm.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
– Helen H. Lemmel
Take heart, the Lord our God never sleeps or slumbers. He never fails us or forsakes us. And He will never leave us to face the storms alone. The disciples knew this and we need to know it too. Now more than ever…
Photo: LumoProject.com