Let’s go! After teaching all day from a boat on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus summoned His disciples aboard. Let us go over to the other side. A cushion was available in the stern for reclining so the Lord settled in while the disciples loosed the rigging. Most of His disciples being strong, seasoned seamen, handled the surf with a confident athletic dexterity. A trip to the other side of the Sea of Galilee should have been easily managed, despite their fatigue and descending darkness.

With the sun setting and air cooling down, a gentle breeze beckoned rest for these weary travelers, refreshing the disciples as they pushed offshore. Distributing oars to one another, a discussion might have quickly ensued over the teaching of the day. Jesus had spoken in parables to the crowd regarding the Kingdom of God while clarifying the significance privately to His twelve disciples. Still, there was debate over the application. “Where is this Kingdom? What will we do there? Who is the King?” Jesus listened to their conversation before drifting off without reply, taking advantage of a rare opportunity to rest.

Caught up in their Kingdom debate, the disciples may have ignored the cumulus clouds moving in, cloaking the star lit landscape. But when the moon disappeared, a chilled dampness began to alarm them. Streams of wind whistled above them, causing the sails to flap sharply. Swelling waves rocked the vessel, pitching sea water over the sides and filling their boat to the point of sinking.

As if that were not enough, a fierce squall suddenly descended and challenged these burly fishermen to keep their boat afloat. They were blinded by sheets of rain and the stinging spray blown from the rising waves. Fighting to maintain visibility and perspective, the disciples may have shouted above the roaring noise of the winds… “We’re sinking! Can anyone see land? We’re sinking!

The disciples desperately awaken Jesus who is still asleep and ask, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Do you not care! An ironic question, don’t you think? Jesus stepped down from His throne in heaven to become God’s Lamb sacrifice so that they (and we) could be justified, glorified and released from all sin. Yet He is being asked this question by His closest friends, Do you not care that we are perishing? Faithful, full of grace and truth, Jesus responded to their prayers.

Being roused, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush, be still. And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. Jesus then asked, Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith? Fear had squelched the faith of the disciples and blinded them to a much greater degree than the torrential wind and rain.  And they became very much afraid and said to one another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?  Seeing Jesus command forces of nature, the disciples realized Him to be more than merely their master teacher, Who is this? Who is this? John the Baptist had already proclaimed Him, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

After Jesus revealed the Kingdom to His disciples, they may have wondered who the King of God’s Kingdom would be? Because of that storm they encountered on the Sea of Galilee, they realized the answer was - “This is He!” The storm was the revelator. Do not be afraid. Have faith in God.