Can you picture the scene? A storm has blown in, and it is a big one. This storm is wreaking enough havoc that all aboard are afraid for their lives. Wind is battering their boat, and water is coming onboard. The fishermen are trying to hold on for their lives, while keeping everything and everyone on the boat. Their beleaguered vessel rocks back and forth; cargo being flung about while they try to bail water. And, in their desperation, someone realizes, “Wait, is anyone still down below? We need all hands on deck!” In the midst of the terror, one of them runs down and finds their leader still asleep! Aghast, the disciple says, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
Jesus wakes up and comes upstairs. The rest of the disciples see Him and expect Him to … what, exactly? Bail water with them? Start telling them what to do? Reassure them that everything’s going to be ok? Based on their response at the end of the passage, it seems like they must have thought something like this because they sure didn’t expect what Jesus did next.
“Peace! Be still!”
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Did the disciples think he was yelling at them at first? Are they looking at each other thinking, “What does he mean, “Be still”? We are going to die here!” Then they realize that He isn’t looking at them. He’s looking beyond. Jesus is looking at the sea and the storm, and it’s settling down. “Wait, did He just tell the storm to calm down, and it OBEYED?” As they stand around the deck, drenched and awestruck, their Teacher looks at them and says, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Now the fear comes on in earnest. The disciples are realizing that they really don’t comprehend just exactly who it is they’ve been living alongside for the past few months.
I can’t help but wonder if it’s this way for us. We go through life and face problems all the time. Sometimes, when life seems to grow beyond our capabilities, we cry out, “Jesus, please help!” And, when we get to this point of desperation, we expect Him to … what exactly? How often are we just like the disciples: So caught up in the storms of life that we completely underestimate what Jesus can do? What He wants to do. Over and over again throughout Scripture we can see it. When we go through the storms of life, if we ask Him, Jesus shows up and walks through it with us. Sometimes, He just calms it, while others, He weathers alongside us. But He never fails to show up when we need Him, so long as we are willing to invite Him.