They would have trusted His very presence to keep them safe.) How would they have responded if they had had faith? (They would not have awakened Him and asked if He cared. Our boat isn't going down, because Jesus is on board.)
We too can rest in faith during the storm. The application to our lives is that even when Jesus LEADS us "through the valley of the shadow of death", we should fear no evil, for HE IS WITH US. (Jesus suggested the boat trip Himself, and promptly went to sleep. Is there evidence in the passage that Jesus meant to enter this storm as a test of the disciples' faith? Hint, if needed: verse 37. After their brush with death, Jesus doesn't comfort, but rather scolds His disciples. What did the disciples ask each other in verse 41? ("Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!") Tell us of a time God blew away your concept of Him by a display of His power. They were in fearful awe of the One who possessed authority to rebuke both the waves and themselves.) The sudden storm and sudden stillness caused brain overload. Why are the disciples still "terrified" even after Jesus calms the storm? (This fear was not produced by the storm, but by the calm. Why do you think the disciples wake Jesus up?ĭid they want Him to calm the storm or to take cover? (With their surprise at His calming of the storm, we can infer that they did not expect him to do so. How did the disciples react to this storm? And what did many of them do for a living? (They were fisherman: 1:16-19.) So how strong can we surmise this storm was? (These seaworthy fishermen were accustomed to storms on the Sea of Galilee and this one must have been fierce for them to fear for their lives.)Īre you ever annoyed when it looks like God is sleeping and ignoring the situation that has "swamped" you and threatens to drown you? Let's read the account of a severe storm on the Sea of Galilee.
What is the worst storm you've ever been through? Her latest book is Love Heals (Thomas Nelson). led by survivors of prostitution, addiction, and trafficking. Thistle Farms is the largest social enterprise in the U.S. Amen.īecca Stevens is an author, speaker, Episcopal priest, justice entrepreneur, and founder and president of Thistle Farms (Nashville, TN). Let us put our whole trust in you and come to wisdom and understanding - and all for love’s sake. There are so many things to fear and so many fears that keep us lonely. Guide us in the darkness toward your loving light, and help us walk in peace. Do not hide Your presence from us or reject us in our weaknesses and fear. We are but children stumbling in the darkness and groping for Your hand. Sometimes, we can be paralyzed by the thought of tomorrow and what awaits in the days ahead. We make our prayer in silence, troubled by the fears in our hearts and anxieties in this world. Love gives us ears to hear the angel say once again to us, “Fear not, for God is with you.” Love gives us a glimpse of the glorious heavens and the fearful valley. Love expands our hearts, it sits still with us, it grieves with us, and it heals us.
Love moves mountains, it is filled with mercy and compassion, and it reaches across the world and through time. On long nights when worries sit by our beds, on gray days when we wonder how the clock ticks seamlessly as hours drag on, and on lonely roads when longing overshadows community, our desire for love does not cease. Because God has given us his Spirit, his love abides. Like the disciples we discover that in grieving, hearts can grow stronger, and in pain, there is comfort. He would send his Holy Spirit to sustain and guide them. Now, he assured them that he would not leave them without comfort. Jesus had already told them that even though he was leaving this world, he would always abide, live, in them (16:7). Perhaps, at first glance, it seems somewhat callous that Jesus would admonish his friends to "not let their hearts be troubled and to not be afraid," but his challenge rested on the beautiful promise he offered next. The moment had come for him to return to the Father, and the disciples were “filled with grief” at the prospect of facing the future without Jesus physically beside them (16:6). Jesus looked into the eyes of his disciples and saw fear and heartbreak. “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ( John 14:27)
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