So the storm on the Sea of Galilee had pushed the
disciples to their limit. In spite of their knowledge of boats and the Galilean
weather, their boat is sinking. In desperation, they wake Jesus, not simply to
warn him that his own life is in danger, but because they had nowhere else to
turn.
Their “Don’t you care that we’re drowning?” isn’t
so much a question as a desperate cry for help.
But Jesus response is not what they expected. They’d
seen Jesus perform miracles of healing and casting out demons, yet this act of
control over the elements of sea stunned them. In an instant they are removed
from the life-threatening situation and brought to a new place — not just of
safety, but also of understanding, even if they cannot yet fully comprehend everything.
We may wonder about the mechanics of the miracles, and
no matter how cynical one may be, or how little one believes miracles like
those happen, deep down we expect that Jesus always will do something. And Jesus’
response can, and does, still take us by surprise.
Julian of Norwich wrote:
‘God
said not, thou shalt not be tempted,
thou
shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be afflicted;
GOD
said: thou shalt not be overcome.’
Saint Paul wrote:
‘God
is faithful, and he will not have you be tested beyond your strength, but with
the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure
it.’
“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Is what Jesus asks.
Answer:
Because we are human; we struggle with our fears
and our limits just as the disciples did.
Yet, if we remain open to the unexpected, Jesus
will see us through, in spite of our doubts, fears, and lack of faith.
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