Trusting God in a storm (Trinity 3)

And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41)

The Sea of Galilee is in the deepest part of the Northern Jordan rift – 215 metres below sea level – surrounded by steep cliffs and mountains except in its southern extremities. Hot air rises and cool air falls, so the cool air in the higher elevations is always wanting to swap places with the warmer air near the water. This often results in high winds, and waves of up to 9 metres.

It was in a storm such as this that Jesus and the disciples found themselves. Even though some of disciples were experienced fishermen, this was too much for them and they feared for their lives. To make things worse Jesus chose this moment to take a nap under the stern deck. Fat lot of good he was! Didn’t he care that they were about to perish? Of course he did! On hearing the disciples cry out for help, Jesus commands the storm to be still and the lake is calm once more.

The good news is that Jesus still cares. Whenever the waves of this life threaten to swamp and capsize us, all we need to do is to turn to him. Ultimately Jesus’ mission is to save us from being swamped by an even greater storm – our own sinfulness. Just as he heard the disciples’ cries and rescued them from the clutches of death, so he hears us when we cry out to him and brings his gifts of peace and healing and life into our troubled lives.

Till next time,
Andrew

Readings

OT           Job 38:1–11
NT           2 Corinthians 5:14–21
Gospel    Mark 4:35–41
Psalm      107:23–32