Have you ever struggled to move from the classroom to real life? Perhaps a foreign language was easy with the teacher, but when you travelled to that country, it suddenly seemed so much harder. Sometimes Jesus takes us from the classroom to the laboratory of real life!

In the first part of this chapter, Luke had presented sayings of Jesus that point to the importance of listening to him. Now, he transitions into a sequence of events that will demonstrate his authority. This first event is recorded in brief, but leaves us with lingering questions.

It’s a familiar story, briefly told. Jesus and the disciples are in a boat. There is a dangerous storm, but Jesus is asleep. They wake him in panic. Then Jesus stands, stops the storm, and questions their faith. After all his teaching about the importance of listening, perhaps Jesus expects them to have translated hearing into faith. Maybe, as this section continues, what they see and hear will stir greater faith in them.

The response of the disciples is worth noting. Jesus asked, ‘Where is your faith?’ Their response? ‘Who is this?’ They see his authority over creation, and it stirs them to ponder his identity. As we continue through this section, let’s be looking to see Jesus in action. We need to keep answering that same question: who is he?

‘Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm. / Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. / Let all the tumult within me cease. / Enfold me, Lord, in your peace.’¹

Have you ever felt like you were going to drown? That is the disciples’ fear. They are looking at the gale that is swamping their boat and they cry out, ‘We’re going to drown!’ (v 24). The Sea of Galilee on which they are sailing is a large lake which is certainly prone to severe storms, sometimes producing waves up to six metres high. Even though the disciples are experienced fishermen, they have good reason to be afraid.

When they cry out to Jesus, he simply gets up and rebukes the wind and raging waters; the storm immediately subsides, and all becomes calm. Luke seems to imply that this is the natural and expected result of Jesus’ presence and action. But then he asks them a crucial question: ‘Where is your faith?’ (v 25). Jesus senses here a crucial moment of training for his disciples. I don’t think he’s upset that they’ve called out to him and woken him – that is clearly the right thing to do. The problem is that they’ve looked at their surroundings and come to the conclusion that they are going to drown. Even though Jesus is with them, they’ve allowed the storms around them to set their expectations and they have given in to fear that this will end in their death.

When the storms of life surround us, it is easy to think we’re at the mercy of the winds and waves. This is natural, but Jesus here is calling us to perceive something supernatural – his presence is greater than the frightening circumstances around us. He can intervene and rescue, if only we will ask. Just as Jesus calmed the waves, he can calm whatever storms you are facing today. Resist the urge to give in to fear, to be ruled by what you can see naturally around you. 

Ask for eyes of faith, to see supernaturally and to understand that Jesus is with you. He will bring his amazing calm to your life.

¹ David Adam, 2000