The Jesus Boat

 

He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. — Matthew 8:26 NASB

A spectacular story is told of Jesus in Matthew 8:23–27. He had been teaching large crowds and healing many who were ill. Then He and His disciples took their boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, a large freshwater lake.

Before they reached the opposite shore, a “great storm” swamped the boat with waves. This was an open wooden fishing boat, similar to the one exposed in 1986 when drought caused the Sea of Galilee waters to recede. One can presume Jesus was drenched and tossed about. His disciples — many of them seasoned fishermen — were terrified.

• And Jesus? He was asleep. A deep, satisfying rest.

The others had to wake Him, crying to Him to save them.

In the New American Standard Bible, the passage reads Jesus “rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.” He shut down the storm, imparting His peace to the forces of nature. His amazed disciples questioned, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

When I need to claim the peace of Jesus in a crisis, I climb in the “Jesus Boat” — what the ancient fishing vessel is frequently called. I found this deep, unexplainable rest in the storm most recently when I traveled the end-of-life journey with my beloved mother-in-law.

Mom’s sudden illness broadsided us. Our family felt deluged by what was happening. I cried out to Jesus to speak His Word into Mom’s life and for me to accept His authority. He invited me to trust Him, even as He welcomed Mom home with Him. His peace carried us across troubled waters.

• Jesus can rebuke the storm, but to experience His calm in the storm is no less a miracle.

Let Us Pray

Son of God, in turbulent times, show me what it means to rest in — and with — You.

Further Reflection

And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” — Exodus 33:14 NASB

My soul waits in silence for God alone; From Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I will not be greatly shaken. — Psalm 62:1-2 NASB

Excerpted with permission from Held in Perfect Peace copyright Guideposts.

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Your Turn

If you’re in a storm right now, does it feel like Jesus is asleep at the helm? He’s in perfect control and He will bring the calm. Let’s pray today that we enter into His peace and rest securely upon Him. Come share your thoughts and prayers with us. We want to hear from you. ~ Laurie McClure, Faith.Full