Jesus Calms the Storm

During the month of January, I had two surgeries. Both were to remove cataracts so I could see better. Each time I arrived at the surgery center, they hooked up an I.V. so they could give me something to settle me down, if I needed it. In neither procedure did they give me anything, so they stuck me for nothing. Each time, I prayed that God would take away my nervousness and guide the surgeon through the procedure, and in both surgeries, I felt a calmness and lack of anxiety.

The gospels of Matthew and Mark describe two different occasions when Jesus, in the presence of His frightened disciples, calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee. In the first of these events, Jesus is asleep in the bow of the boat when a storm threatens to sink it. (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41) In the second, the disciples were crossing the lake by themselves when Jesus comes to them in the storm, walking on the waves. (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-51)

In the second scripture, Peter needed God’s comforting presence. Peter and the other disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee when a strong storm arose. Jesus showed up walking on water. The disciples were astonished. Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  (Matthew 14:27) Peter asked Jesus if he could join him, and he stepped out of the boat and walked toward Jesus. He soon lost focus and started sinking. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” and Jesus lovingly rescued him. (vv. 30-31)

Whether we are in the middle of a pandemic or having cataract surgery, we can reach out to Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, is with us even in the storms of life. My prayer is that you will reach out to Jesus today!

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for calming the storms in our lives. Help us to trust you more! Amen!

Matthew 14:27 – “But Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid!”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Image: Adobe iStock