One day, after it grew dark, Jesus said to his disciples, “Come with me across the lake.”
Jesus knew where he was going and who he wanted to go with him. He had a purpose and destination in mind. They were going across the lake.
Leaving the crowd behind, the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats sailed with them. Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious storm arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was nearly swamped.
Most of these disciples were fishermen, familiar with the moods of the Sea of Galilee. Going out on a boat was a normal experience, and finding yourself caught in a storm wasn’t unheard of. But this storm was different. It was “ferocious,” and violent, and Bible scholars believe it was demonic in nature. The enemy of our souls knew that Jesus was on a Kingdom mission and he knew if he could capsize that boat he could capsize Jesus, his disciples, and the mission. Stirring up a storm in these circumstances must have looked like a pretty easy score for the enemy.
But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion.
Unfortunately for the enemy, he neglected one simple fact. Jesus was with the disciples in the boat. Jesus was with them in the storm. Jesus was present, obviously not upset if he could sleep through such a storm.
So they shook him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!”
I would have definitely shaken Jesus awake. And I, too, would have probably hurled an accusation of indifference at him. So often it seems that in the midst of the storms of our lives, Jesus is not paying attention – asleep, indifferent, otherwise quiet. We feel alone, afraid, abandoned.
That was not what Jesus was thinking.
Fully awake, he rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Be still!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm.
Fully awake. He WAS awake – maybe even all the time. He shouted down the storm: “HUSH! BE STILL.” Suddenly the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm. Three words from Jesus were all it took to shut down the enemy’s storm. Three words restored peace.
Not every “storm” in life is demonic, but when we are facing a storm do we cower in fear or shout it down?
Then he turned to his disciples and said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet?” But they were overwhelmed with fear and awe and said to one another, “Who is this man who has such authority that even the wind and waves obey him?”
Fear as an emotion is a very natural thing, but unchecked fear can very easily control you. (See 2020-2022 for more examples.) God’s Spirit does not give us fear or timidity, but reminds us that because of the authority Jesus gives us we can overcome all the power of our enemy. Do we understand ourselves as having such authority? Do we know the power of God within us because of the Blood of Jesus upon us and the Spirit of Christ within us? Do we trust that Jesus has a plan and purpose for us – a place to go? Our invitation is to live the reality that no matter what Jesus is with us.
Omnipotent God,
We look to you, our Creator God who made the heavens and the earth, for help and protection. Your Word says you will guard us and guide us, never letting us stumble or fall. You are our keeper who will never forget or ignore us when the storms of life rage. You don’t slumber or sleep, leaving us to be tossed about, because you are our Guardian-God Yahweh who watches over us. You shelter us safely in your presence, protecting us from danger both day and night, and keeping us from every form of evil or calamity. Thank you that we are guarded by our God himself, safe when because you protect us now and forevermore. Help us remember that through Jesus we have your Spirit within us that gives us power, love, and self discipline, and we have the authority to overcome all the power of the enemy – nothing will harm us. In the strong name of Christ we pray, Amen.
“I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection is only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth. He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall. God is my keeper; he will never forget nor ignore me. He will never slumber nor sleep; he is the Guardian-God for his people, Israel. Yahweh himself will watch over you; he’s always at your side to shelter you safely in his presence. He’s protecting you from all danger both day and night. He will keep you from every form of evil or calamity as he continuously watches over you. You will be guarded by God himself. You will be safe when you leave your home, and safely you will return. He will protect you now, and he’ll protect you forevermore!” (Psalm 121 TPT)
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19 NIV)
That same day, after it grew dark, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36Leaving the crowd behind, the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats sailed with them. 37Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious storm arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was nearly swamped. 38But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion. 39So they shook him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!” Fully awake, he rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Be still!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm.
40Then he turned to his disciples and said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet?” 41But they were overwhelmed with fear and awe and said to one another, “Who is this man who has such authority that even the wind and waves obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41 TPT)