Jesus and the storm

Luke 8:22-25

Nature has its course

I have seen the danger of being out in the sea and the storm and danger it posed. The squall can be extraordinarily dangerous and fearful even just to watch it. Though the disciples had some experience of the raging waters, this was too dangerous for them to be afraid of.

The story begins with Jesus wanting to go to the other side of the lake and they got on a boat. As they got out to the lake, in a few minutes the boat is caught up in raging water and dangerous wind which threatened to drown them. And, Jesus is sleeping as if nothing has happened. The disciples are afraid and woke Jesus up saying, “master, master we are going to drawn”! Jesus gets up, rebukes the wind and storm and suddenly there is calmness in nature.

There is a calmness in the presence of God

The dangers

There are lots of things that can cause us to be afraid of: uncertain future, family problems, parting ways with friends, the thought of being jobless, not being able to find a husband or wife, the possibility of losing our loved ones through death and many others.

Things are under control in God

In the middle of fear in life, there is a sense of calmness if we know that God is with us. The disciples should have understood that the God of the universe who created the heavens and the earth was with them. But they failed to trust completely in Jesus at the time of calamity and the real danger. Their fear shows the humanness on their part and they needed Jesus to save them in their desperation. They could not save themselves without his help. We can also look to him when we feel there is a danger ahead of us.

Fear and amazement

When we understand who Jesus is: the creator, the most powerful of all and has the authority over the creation, it should like the disciples, cause us to fear him and be amazed at what has done. We have been rescued and set free from the imprisonment of our own sins. When we were still sinners, Christ died for us. There is nothing we can do to be saved. We are saved purely by his grace through faith. This should lead us to humble ourselves and live the life free of fear.

Reflect

What are some of the dangers that can come upon us as we live a Christian life? How can we overcome them?

Samuel Budhathoki, CGF

(Also available in his personal blog: Words of hope)