At Rest in the Storm

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’ (Matthew 8:23-27)

This story seems somewhat out of place in the gospel of Matthew, surrounded by other stories of Jesus healing people and casting out demons. But it fits perfectly because all these stories emphasise Jesus’ authority: over sickness, evil spirits, and even over the weather and the sea. In the Bible, the sea is often depicted as a place of chaos that swallows ships, and is filled with monsters and evil spirits (see Matt 14:26). God created order out of chaos in creation, he saved Noah’s family in the flood, he parted the Red Sea to save his people Israel, and God is the only one who can calm the wind and waves (‘He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed’ - Psalm 107:29).

Are you in the middle of a storm? It could be financial trouble, workplace stress, or family relationships. Does it feel like the waves are flooding over you and you think you’re going to drown, and Jesus doesn’t seem to be responding to your prayers? Jesus is with you in your boat, which is the safest place for you to be, no matter what your circumstances might be. If he is at rest, you can be at rest, because he has authority over the chaos and will bring you through it.

This reflection introduces the Sunday teaching on 30th May about deliverance. You can listen to it below.