Beyond Storm Chasing

“Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior (Isaiah 43:10b-11 NKJV).

I had a wonderful time several years ago visiting the land of Israel. We sailed the breathtaking Sea of Galilee one clear sunny morning and tiny diamonds of light danced all around. It’s a freshwater lake shaped like a ‘harp’ and surrounded by hills, some soaring above the lake’s surface up to half a mile. Because cooler atmospheric breezes pour in from the Mediterranean at times, they collide with the afternoon air and violent windstorms erupt without a moment’s notice. With that in mind, let’s look at how Jesus dealt with life-threatening waves as He taught the disciples a lesson on faith.

Here in Luke’s gospel, we notice Jesus talked to the wind—and the wind listened. Jesus had just finished teaching a crowd of people somewhere near Capernaum. Exhausted, He got into (probably Peter’s) boat and fell asleep, only to be awakened by His fearful followers. Awestruck, the weathered fishermen numbly queried, “Who can this be?” For He commands even the winds and water and they obey Him!” (Luke 8:25 NKJV) That’s a short description but a miracle nonetheless when Christ soothed the roaring and deadly storm at their request.

I believe the disciples manifested terror because they didn’t fully understand Jesus’ omnipotence. Truly, Jesus is God and He quieted the body of water created by Him. You see, on a deeper level, the whole of nature must obey commands by its Creator. On another occasion, Jesus walked atop roaring waves He spoke into existence and enabled Peter to do the same. A few years later, sinners nailed Him to the very tree He fashioned (for a designated purpose).

Actually, I don’t comprehend all depths of our magnificent Son of Man who dwells in unapproachable light, but I want to. One glorious day we’ll know more “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2 NKJV). Until then, we remain on earth and get a small taste of the One we serve. As we discover His strength, all-sustenance, all-around-us at all times, and containing all-knowledge of everything, there’s no need to fear anything. He’s in our boat.