The Loudest Silence

I wonder what it sounded like? As the sea crashed against the boat, the water filled the interior, the wind whipped against the passengers, and waves soaked their clothes. In fear, they woke the sleeping Christ to report their impending doom. At the immediacy of His rebuke, the storm repented. How heavy was the silence as the disciples stood in a gently rocking boat with no sign of a breeze? The tension grew as they gazed in amazement at the reigning Messiah. With words of authority and disappointment He asked them, “where is your faith?”

In a brief matter of moments the apostles went from hearing the crashing of waves to the crashing of their faith. The first auditory sound after the storm was Jesus Himself questioning the very foundation of their trust in Him. The disciples were not wrong in seeking the Lord in the storm, rather they were wrong to assume their fate of “perishing” (Luke 8:24).

Prior to this faith-changing event, Jesus exemplified His power: healing of the unclean spirit (4:35), healing of Simon’s mother in law (4:39), healing of the crowds (4:40), mass catching of fish (5:7), healing of a leper (5:13), healing of the paralytic (5:24), healing of the man’s hand (6:10), healing of the centurion’s servant (7:10), and bringing the widow’s son back to life (7:14). Jesus made it very clear that He is in control; though a storm may be apparent, His presence is the assurance of peace.

Before their voyage on the sea, Jesus told them “let’s go over there” (8:22). The Messiah’s confidence in the journey was robust enough it warranted a nap, even when a storm kicked up. We’re headed “over there” but what’s causing you to fear the storm? The calm simply comes when knowing and trusting the One who is in your boat.