14 Days to PeaceSampel

When you shouldn’t be afraid of a storm but are, Jesus doesn’t make you sweat it out—He stands up for you. 

If the pandemic brought a storm into your life, be assured Christ is with you in the boat, and He has authority over the tempest. 

In the dramatic story of the mega-storm that swamped the disciples’ fishing boat one evening on the Sea of Galilee, Matthew describes Jesus’s rebuke of the storm with the word that is used to describe the Lord’s casting out of evil spirits. Mark describes Jesus’s command with a word that means, essentially, “Hush.” 

Ever had someone speak an authoritative word that cured your fear? 

When I was old enough that I shouldn’t have been scared, I went to a haunted house with my older brothers. I don’t remember how old I was, but I remember thinking, “It’ll be embarrassing if I get frightened.” I acted cool for a while, but, for some reason, Frankenstein took me on as a project. He must have smelled my fear. He started following me around. He jumped out at me around corners. He hovered around me in the dark. I couldn’t shake the monster—he got into my head. 

My oldest brother, David, knew I was afraid and finally, in a moment I’ll appreciate forever, he simply turned to Frankenstein and said, “Leave my little brother alone, can’t you see he’s scared?” And, just like that, Frankie was gone and I lived to see another day. 

I think Jesus calmed the storm like that. It was as if Jesus said to the storm, “I know that My disciples shouldn’t be scared, but they are. So, hush—leave My little followers alone.” 

In Matthew chapter 8, before the account of the storm on the lake, the disciples saw Jesus restore a leper, heal a Centurion’s servant from a distance, cure Peter’s mother-in-law, and deliver many who were oppressed by evil. Having seen all that, they certainly had no reason to fear a squall at sea. But they did and, instead of leaving them in their shame and fear, Jesus rebuked the storm. Whatever unwelcome squall this global pandemic has brought to your boat, you ought not be afraid, but if you are, Jesus won’t leave you in your unfounded fear. He’ll take care of the storm because He cares for you. And that’s the Gospel!

Questions for Reflection:

1) What storms are you currently facing? Is there a Frankenstein in your life?

2) What would it feel like for the storms to cease, the seas to calm? Can you remember a time when it has happened in the past?

3) Even though Jesus could see the storm, He still responded to the disciples’ plea. Don’t be afraid to ask God to calm the sea. Pray for rescue. Jesus wants to save us, even in our lack of faith.