After the Storm
“…Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm.” Matthew 8:26 (b)
Following the events of Hurricanes “Harvey” and “Irma,” I was reminded of how Jesus was very familiar with the hurricanes and tornados his day. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the day in which Jesus and his disciples set sail to cross the Sea of Galilee (which is 13 miles long and 8 miles wide); a day in which a calm sea instantly became a raging sea!
The Sea of Galilee sets 680’ below sea level in a cleft in the Jordan landscape which makes it a prime target for a great storm to seemingly come out of nowhere. When a cold westward wind passes through the hills and gullies on the west bank of the sea, the air becomes compressed and funnel-like. Then with amazing speed and intensity, it swoops over the bank to the surprise of anyone or any boat positioned on its waters.
The gospel writers tell us that Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat when the storm hit; a storm so intense that it engulfed the boat within the crest of its waves, quickly filling the boat with water. Matthew then tells us the disciples woke Jesus and were pleading for Him “to save them for they were “perishing!” Matthew tells us how Jesus asked them why they were so afraid and were exercising such little faith. I don’t believe Jesus was angry with them, but was using this as one of the most important lessons ever for teaching his disciples to trust Him and His authority when undergoing the most intense situations of life!
And then our Scripture for today records Jesus speaking to the winds and the sea and their becoming “perfectly” calm. What do we see in Matthew’s account (8:23-27)? That a great Christ’s response to a great crisis is always a great calm!
What storm of life are you, a loved one, a neighbor, or co-worker encountering this time. It may a great stress over the recent storm that engulfed Florida.
“…even the winds and the sea obey Him!” Matthew 8:27
Pastor Louie