In the Middle of the Storm

I was reading a while back about Jesus calming the storm - you know - where he's asleep and there's a huge storm happening and the disciples were frightened . . .

It's in Matthew 8.

Anyway, the thing that stuck out to me is that Jesus was asleep. We always talk about Jesus being right there for us when times are tough, when the seas are rough, when we've had enough (corny song coming on!). The disciples, however, felt troubled and Jesus was right there asleep. Not making them feel comfortable. Not making them feel good about themselves.

I can only assume that that is where He would have stayed if they didn't go and bother Him. He probably would have stayed asleep.

So they ran below deck, woke up the soon-to-be Saviour of the world and shouted, "Lord SAVE US - we're going to drown."

His response was funny. I take it as a scold, or a burn even: "Why are you so afraid?" Yes, it's rough. Yes, your dinner might come back up. Yes, it SEEMS scary. Omniscient saviour of the world KNEW what they were afraid of . . . but that's not what he asked . . "WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID? YOU HAVE SO LITTLE FAITH."

What's that? A test? Sarcasm?

He rebuked the storm and it stopped. Did they get what they asked for?

I don't know. I don't think they really knew what they were asking. It seems as though, in hindsight, they were never in danger to begin with. He didn't SAVE THEM as such, given that. He took away the elements that they were afraid of, the elements that troubled them. AND he rebuked them as well. Gave them a life lesson. Stuff is going to stink all around you, and there is going to be a lot that you don't like. I CAN take it away, but it does you more good to learn from it.

Interesting, I thought.

Grace.