Who Then is This?

“One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they set out,  and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?'” Luke 8:22-25

They’d witnessed His compassion, patient conversations, miraculous healing, and authoritative teaching. They knew Him to be focused, unflappable, measured, and loving. So of course Jesus’s disciples trusted His instruction to cross the lake. They chose, both practically and figuratively, to get in the boat with Him.

But Jesus went to sleep. A windstorm whipped up trouble. Waves raged and gulped at their vessel, and their confidence. Their easy cooperation turned to fear for their lives. The storm exposed their human frailties and the limits of their faith, while also revealing the magnificent who of Jesus. Calm and unfazed, invisibly in control, He shone as their object of marvel.

Who then is this? Jesus knows the storms that will rise, and leads us intentionally into their swirl. He strategically tests our faith to teach us to wonder at His peace in their disruption, and power over their threat. And He is present in every struggle, giving calm, and a way out of temptation to despair or lose hope. Indeed, the Teacher wastes no opportunity to stretch and sanctify His own. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Who then is this? Are we willing to let this Jesus lead? Are we tempted to question His motives when we confront difficulties, or His might to help? In what hard circumstances does it seem He is asleep and indifferent to our suffering? What can we learn of His strong serenity and steady compassion in our angst?

Who then is this? Considering recent turbulence at home or work, in soul or circumstance, what are we learning of our Lord? How is He teaching gratitude, compassion, or trust? What inner storm of anger or discontent, resentment or restlessness, will we ask Jesus to rebuke, and then deliberately rest in His peace?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” ~George Keith (1787)

Lord, please master my thinking, temper, and reactions to storms so I know You better, for Your redemptive purposes and glory.