Message – Proper 7 – June 20, 2021
Jesus Calms the Storm
One day, Jesus and some of his disciples were out on a lake in a boat. Suddenly, without warning, a storm came up. The wind blew so hard, and the waves were so high, that water was coming into the boat and the boat was about to be turned over.
While the winds and waves tossed the little boat about, Jesus slept peacefully at one end of the boat. Some of the disciples became upset that Jesus was sleeping. They went and woke Jesus,and asked him, “Master, don’t you even care that we are about to drown?”
Jesus got up and spoke to the winds and the waves.
“Peace, be still,” he said. As soon as he spoke, the winds stopped blowing and the sea became calm.
Jesus’ disciples were amazed! They said, “Who is this man that even the winds and the waves obey him?”
We know who Jesus is, don’t we? And we know that Jesus can still calm storms today. Sometimes, there are sudden storms in our life. Perhaps it is an illness, a family problem, or the death of a friend or loved one. During these times, Jesus can calm the storms of doubt and fear in our life. He doesn’t always take away all of the problems, but if we will trust in him, he will give us peace in our hearts even in the middle of a storm.
“Peace, be still,” he said. As soon as he spoke, the winds stopped blowing and the sea became calm.
Jesus’ disciples were amazed! They said, “Who is this man that even the winds and the waves obey him?”
The account of Jesus calming the storm provides a starting place for many people who need assurance of God’s control over forces that seem out of their own control. The disciples in the sinking boat faced overwhelming fears. But when Jesus so quickly calmed the storm, their fears were quickly replaced with awe and worship.
Many of us—especially children—carry the burden of fear, perhaps not realizing that we can run to Jesus for safety. But Psalm 91 tells us that a person “who dwells in the shelter of the Most High…will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” As we present our fears to our heavenly Father in prayer, we, too, can be assured of the comfort that comes from trusting the one who loves us and who has the power to protect us in all circumstances. Let us thank and praise Jesus, who has the power to calm our fears!