Will We Make it Through the Storm?

By Dean Collins

The disciples were constantly amazed by the miracles of Jesus. And sometimes they were confused by his teachings. If we are honest, we probably are in the same boat with the disciples on those two points. We can testify to events in our lives where Jesus showed up in a situation and interjected wisdom, healing, and forgiveness. And then we have all had those situations where something hits us and we just don’t understand why we find ourselves in this mess or with this diagnosis. In those moments we might struggle with both fear and lack of understanding.

In Luke 8 we see a day in the life of Jesus. We read of a group of women who were traveling with the 12 disciples and Jesus who were dedicated to the financial support of his ministry and were also involved in proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

Then we read the parable of the sower. In this parable we have the advantage of Jesus giving a good explanation of what the parable meant. Sometimes Jesus doesn’t explain exactly what his parables are about, but in this case we know. Jesus followed this parable with another parable about why it makes no sense to light a candle and then place a jar over it. Instead, we set the candle in a prominent place so that everyone can benefit from the light.

The next thing we read is that Jesus not only was a great teacher, but he was also a human who got tired from a day’s work and needed to sleep. Jesus and his disciples got into a boat and set off for the other side of the lake. As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep, leaving the experienced fishermen in charge of things.

Suddenly, a windstorm blew up and the boat was filling with water, and the disciples realized the danger. They woke Jesus up and, in a panic, told him, “We are perishing.” Jesus rebuked the wind and raging waves, and there was a calm on the waters and in the air. He then asked the disciples, “Where is your faith?” 

We don’t hear their answer, but Luke shares that now they were afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him?” 

Have you been there with the disciples? I know I have. Some sudden storm becomes apparent in life. A sudden fracture in a relationship. A test result. A job loss. Or any number of events that create sudden panic because what didn’t seem fragile an hour ago shows signs of danger. In those moments, we wonder if we will make it through this storm.

But consider that we are also like the disciples in that we have heard and read the words of Jesus. We too know the parable of the sower. We have seen seeds of the good news sown in and around us. We may even be the one who was sharing the good news, knowing that our job is to share, but we are not responsible for the outcomes. And just like the disciples, we might consider ourselves in the fourth group. The ones who heard the good news, believed it, and therefore, are seeing some sprouting, or even fruit, appearing in our lives and work. But then a storm hits.

Reading all of Luke 8, I get the idea that maybe the storm was an object lesson to see if the disciples would put their faith into action. In the storm, the disciples were quick to awaken Jesus and point out the danger. And Jesus was quick to respond. But Jesus’ question suggests that he was equally quick to ask them about the application of their faith. 

Faith is more than just intellectual consent. Faith requires leaning into Jesus for who he is and what he says he will do. Because of the resurrection and our surrender to Jesus, he now lives with us constantly. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. But in the storms, it is easy to focus on the storm and fail to trust that Jesus is already aware of the storm and waiting for us to simply trust that he has neither forgotten us nor is unable to help us through the storms of life.

The disciples were amazed at the reality that Jesus was able to speak to the winds and waves and they listened and obeyed.  Jesus is here. When we turn to him in our crisis, he is willing and able to calm our fears and get us to the other side of this moment. 

Father, we confess that in moments of panic over the storms of our lives we sometimes doubt or wonder where you are and if you care. Forgive us. We know you love us. We know your power. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus. So, today, even as we have anxiety, we turn to you and ask you to calm the storms of our lives and increase our faith. We want to be a witness of your goodness for others to see, even in and through our present storm. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Luke 8:22-25 ESV

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