JESUS CALMS THE STORM

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The next story in the life of Jesus doesn’t necessarily follow after the last. But here is a great scene in the training of His disciples.

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

What an illustration! NOTE the logical progression of this training session.

FIRST—Jesus gave the directions to cross over to the other side of the lake. It was Jesus’ idea. The disciples were not wandering off by themselves.

SECOND—Trouble showed up for the disciples, even though they were following Jesus’ directions. You don’t have to pray for nor look for problems. Problems will be provided.

THIRD—The trouble got worse before any assistance came. This is a normal occurrence. Sometimes like in surgery, you must hurt deeply in order to heal.

FOURTH—Jesus seemed to not care about their plight. Here He was sleeping. Don’t you feel like Jesus might be asleep or away from time to time. No, He’s still very attentive.

FIFTH—Jesus showed up at just the right time. The timing of God is the most amazing thing of all about this spiritual journey. I can think of so many times that Jesus was late from my viewpoint, but perfectly on time from His viewpoint. There are many times that I can look back and thank God for not doing it in my way. Did I say many? Most of the time.

SIXTH—When Jesus showed up, He rebuked the storm and it responded to His words. His presence with them was a sure guarantee that everything was going to be alright. Whenever He wants, He can speak the word and calm the situation.

SEVENTH—Jesus then rebukes the disciples by saying, “Where is your faith?” NOTE the disciples are still working on their faith. They aren’t there yet. They haven’t arrived. In this case Jesus is not saying where is your great faith, but simply where is your faith?

The primary principle to me is WHEN JESUS IS RIDING ALONG ON YOUR JOURNEY, YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES BUT LIVING ABOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES. Jesus will always get you through whatever comes upon you and He does it by lifting you up to a higher perspective to get the big picture. Even the greatest problems and trials look a lot smaller from that vantage point.

SO, where is YOUR faith? Your faith can be simply to continue on your spiritual journey with Jesus, believing that He will get you through whatever the storm may be and therefore no matter what, everything is going to be OK.