In the four gospel accounts is the well-known story of Jesus calming a storm while He and His disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. It is but a brief moment in the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and yet the glorious truths that God reveals to us in Matthew 8, Mark 4, Luke 8, and John 6 about what happened on that boat can bring us comfort in who Jesus is.
Just before the disciples witnessed one of the most amazing displays of Jesus’ deity the disciples were given the touching gift of seeing Jesus in His humanity. Jesus, having performed many miracles and preached many sermons prior to getting in the boat with His disciples, Jesus was so tired that not even a storm rapidly filling their boat with water could wake Him up. When the disciples did manage to wake Him, and in their panic urged Jesus to save them, Jesus showed His sovereignty in two ways:
1) He remained unfazed, steady as an anchor, and asked the disciples why they were afraid and exercised such little faith.
- “you of little faith” was a frequent rebuke to His disciples and referred to their weak trust in God’s will and sovereignty.
2) Jesus commanded the storm to cease, by simply saying “Peace! Be still!”. This proved His deity and stirred up a reverant fear of their Lord (see Mark 4:39-41 for “fear” and cross reference it with Luke 8:25 and you’ll see the word “marveled”).
This presents to us modern-day believers with such comfort for the inevitable storms of our lives — that Jesus is in the midst of the storm with you, Jesus is your anchor amidst the storm, and Jesus is sovereign over the storm.
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,” (Hebrews 6:19)
“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand” (Psalm 73:23-24 )
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 )
“Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17)
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16–17)
Questions to ask yourself:
- How have you seen God’s comfort in your life? (since He has done it before He will do it again all in due time)
- When was the last time you remember clinging to Jesus as your steady anchor?
- What are some of the ways you have been most aware of God’s sovereignty?
Prayer Prompt:
Think of the answers to the questions you just asked yourself and bring them to the Lord. He knows your every thought, but just like He asked Adam in the Garden “Where are you?” In His grace, God desires to draw you, His child, in closer relationship to Himself. Make your requests to the Lord and He will always answer.