Today we look at Luke's account of the storm:
22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
Luke is much less detailed than Mark about this account, including fewer words said by Jesus and His disciples. So the words recorded are much more succinct. First, it was all His idea to go across the lake. He got into the boat and said "Let's go!" So often in our lives we jump in the boat and hope Jesus will go along. Secondly, they are quick to point blame: "Master, Master, we are perishing!," with a kind of undertone saying "and it's all your fault." Often, when we feel we are following God's plan and trouble comes our way, whether outwardly or not, we say it's all His fault. Jesus, as He calms the sea also calls on the disciples to be calm: “Where is your faith?” He is able to see in their eyes and hearts beyond their fear to their lack of faith in Him. We so easily forget His promises: He is Here, He does care; He can handle it. Their response is very revealing: Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” Who is this guy? One positive outcome of this event is that these disciples did not abandon ship or abandon Jesus. They realized He was well worth continuing to follow, learning more about Him and what He could and would do in their lives. May our response be the same.
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