all eyes on jesus | at peace in the storm

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 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?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41, NIV

As the disciples and Jesus set sail across the Sea of Galilee, a furious storm arises, threatening to capsize their boat, yet Jesus remains peacefully asleep. Not so the disciples. They are engulfed by fear. "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

I have so much sympathy for disciples. A long time ago I crossed Lake Windemere in a sailing boat. We set out on a calm, sunny morning but in the middle of the lake a storm engulfed us - it came from nowhere - and before I knew it the skipper was shouting instructions to me over the screaming wind as we fought to keep from capsizing.

The disciples' terror is not allayed by the fact they have witnessed Jesus’ extraordinary miracles. Fear overshadows faith. It can do that with us.

In those moments we really do have to learn to fix our eyes on Jesus. As we look, we may see a display of divine authority - the storm stilled, the Lord of all creation commanding the forces of nature to submit to his will. But more likely we will see the Lord at peace on a cushion in the stern of the boat, inviting us to join him where it is safe and he can protect us.

We can anchor our trust in him today, acknowledging that he is greater than any storm we face.

Let's pray
Thank you, Jesus, that you are present in our boat, disregarding the tempest, guiding us to rest and safety. Calm the storms, Lord, and bring peace so that my fear is transformed into reverent awe of your unmatched power and unwavering love. Amen.