"Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm." – Luke 8:24
When Jesus calmed the storm by speaking to it, he not only demonstrated his authority over creation, but also made a not-so-subtle claim as to his identity. His actions imitate perfectly the works of YHWH according to the author of Psalm 107:
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters;
24 They have seen the works of the Lord,
And His wonders in the deep.
25 For He spoke and raised a stormy wind,
Which lifted the waves of the sea.
26 They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths;
Their soul melted away in their misery.
27 They reeled and staggered like a drunken person,
And were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He brought them out of their distresses.
29 He caused the storm to be still,
So that the waves of the sea were hushed,” (Psalm 107:23-29 NASB)
Jesus, by his actions, put himself on equal standing with the God of Israel, justifying the amazement of his disciples, who were quickly losing any frame of reference for the identity of their teacher, who was peacefully sleeping just moments earlier. His presence truly brings peace in chaos. May we respond with trust and awe in his power over the uncontrollable forces of chaos in our world, and perhaps find rest in a world that cannot. After all, “he gives sleep to the one he loves,” (Ps. 127:2).
Reflection:
- What storms are raging in your life that you need Jesus to calm?
- How does this story challenge you to trust Him in difficult times?
- What steps can you take to remind yourself of His sovereignty?
- Art: Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, by Ludolf Bakhuizen – 1. Google Cultural Institute2. Indianapolis Museum of Art, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22490883
- Songs: “Peace Be Still” by Belonging Co & Lauren Daigle & “Quiet” by Elevation Rhythm