“22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, 23 and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24 They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And waking up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 Then he said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were terrified and amazed and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water and they obey Him” Luke 8:22-25?
The Sea of Galilee is more than 600’ below sea level. It is surrounded by land and tall mountains. Rivers have cut deep ravines through the mountains down into the sea. These ravines act like great funnels to draw down the cold winds from the mountains; and thus the storms arise. It was just such a sudden storm that struck the boat that day, and Jesus and his disciples were in peril of their lives. The disciples woke Jesus and with a word He calmed the storm. Everything that Jesus did had deeper significance. And the real meaning of this incident is that only Jesus can calm the storms of life.
This story has always served as a reminder to me of the one of the reasons why Jesus created His church. In the Bible the sea and water are most often a dangerous thing. In many ways water represents danger and chaos to all of humanity. God used it to destroy the world, and no one knows this more than Noah. The storms that explode on the Sea of Tiberias, or the Sea of Galilee, represent the storms of life. And the disciples in their boat represent you and me, often caught in the storms of our own life. The water and winds and surf represent sin and evil. The boat represents the church, the proverbial port in the storm, the one place where we can find safety and help, the place where we can live and flourish. But Jesus alone calms the storms of our life. He comes to us in the church, in the boat, and calls us to faith. He sees us terrified by our sin and evil and he alone calms and forgives and heals us.
This story is an example of one of the ways we understand the church, it’s nature and reason for existence. Cherish your church. Support it. Make it a place where we can look for Jesus and nourish our faith in Jesus. Do not demean or hurt the church, for it is our port in the storms of our life. Welcome others who are drowning and invite them into your boat, your church. But keep your eyes peeled on Jesus who who is unaffected by our storms. Watch for Him every day. Thank Him in advance for answering your prayers. lean on Him, not on your own understanding of life.
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” Psalm 16:11.
“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” Exodus 33:14.
“You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek”
Psalm 27:8.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” Psalm 145:18.
“With confidence draw near to the throne of grace” Hebrews 4:16.
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