Tuesday, September 24, 2013

He's in the Boat


“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.’” (Luke 8:22-25 NIV)

This is such an odd story at first glance.  A storm arises as Jesus and His disciples make their way across the Sea of Galilee.  Their boat is being swamped by the waves and the disciples are fearing for their lives. And Jesus—is taking a nap.  

Does that strike you as odd?  The boat is being violently rocked, the waves are swamping the boat with water, the disciples are likely yelling out in fear, and Jesus is asleep.  Was He just completely exhausted?  Did He have narcolepsy, perhaps?  No, I think His sleep had a divine cause.

Notice after Jesus was awakened and calmed the storm, He asked the disciples, “Where is your faith?”  He was present with them in the boat, yet they were panicking after the storm hit.  They didn’t trust His presence; they wanted His immediate attention.  

Are we not the same?  A storm comes upon us and immediately we cry out in a panic to the Lord for help.  We may know He is present, but want His attention to our plight.  However, what the disciples missed, and we as well, is the fact His presence is enough.  If He is present, He is in control.  Jesus may have been sleeping in the boat, but He was in the boat.  He was with the disciples in the storm.  That should have been enough for them.

Today, if a storm has struck in your life, don’t panic.  Jesus is in the boat with you.  Even if it appears He is asleep, His presence is enough.  He has everything under control.

© Jim Musser 20103

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