Wednesday, October 8, 2008

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Finding Peace in the Storm

One day after a long afternoon of teaching the people, Jesus suggested to his disciples that they all get into a boat and cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  So, leaving the crowd behind, we are told, "they took him along, just as he was, in the boat" (Mark 4:36).  I find even this small introduction to the story very interesting and worth looking at for what it can teach us. 

First of all, it was Jesus suggestion that they "go over to the other side" (Mark 4:35).  Doesn't he always want to take us some place beyond where we are right now?  What "other side" is he suggesting to you and me today?  The disciples embraced his suggestion and took him along.  And we should too.  Jesus always wants to come along where he suggests we go!  Not only did they take him along, they took him "just as he was" (Mark 4:36).  Is it not obvious that we must always take Jesus just as he is or we don't get to take him with us at all?  He will not change to suit us, we must accommodate him!  At the same time, when we invite him into our boat, he comes every time.  That was his idea in the first place, that we go to the new place together!  "Let us go over to the other side."

So far, so good.  However, in the midst of crossing the sea, "a furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped" (Mark 4:37).  Luke says that "they were in great danger" (Luke 8:23).  The disciples, many of them seasoned fisherman who had fished on this lake all their lives were afraid (giving you some idea of the magnitude of the storm), and they went and woke Jesus — yes, woke him up, in the midst of this worst ever storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat!  "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38).  "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" (Luke 8:24).  "Lord, save us!  We're going to drown!" (Matthew 8:25).  What did Jesus do?

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet!  Be still!'  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?' " (Mark 4:39-40).

If the disciples were afraid before, now we read that they were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (Mark 4:41).  This however, was a completely different kind of fear.  The first had just been a natural fear and we all know that fear of being in the midst of a troubling situation and not knowing what the outcome will be.  If we have taken Jesus into our boat, just as he is, we can rouse him in prayer, just as the disciples did.  And he will calm the storm.  Be prepared however for the holy fear that follows when Jesus speaks into our situation and things change in an instant!  Whatever is going on right now, why are we so afraid?  Do we still have no faith?  Jesus is in the boat with us!

How could Jesus sleep in the midst of the storm raging around him.  The same way he could calm it when the disciples woke him.  It has everything to do with what is going on inside of us.  Jesus was at peace on the inside, no matter where he was or what was going on around him.  And even when he later spoke to the wind and the waves, all he did was to enforce what was going on around him to come into agreement with what was inside of him.  Is it possible that we could do the same?  That we could have the same kind of peace in the midst of whatever storm we find ourselves in?  Why is it that the journey to whatever other side Jesus is calling us to is not smooth sailing?  Could it be if we allowed the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts?  And even if it is rough at times, if we are at peace on the inside, would it matter what is going on around us?

"No God, No Peace.
Know God, Know Peace.
 

In the midst of whatever may be troubling us right now, we need to recognize the fact that Jesus is not far away.  He is in the midst of it with us because he suggested that we travel together and we invited him into our boat.  We can choose to look at what is going on around us or we can choose to look to him.  Do not fear.  Only believe.  Jesus, help me.  Someone has said that "The Lord will either calm your storm, or allow it to rage while he calms you."  He wants you to experience the peace that he demonstrated while on earth.  He wants to give us his peace.  All we have to do is ask. 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

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