"All was calm"

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25 ESV)

“All was calm” when the Lord asked this question of his disciples. However, a moment before “the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger“ in the midst of “the wind and the raging water.” They were amazed by his power over the elements. In one sense we are more amazed by the question itself: “Where is your faith?” The disciples were not day-trippers who would fear the odd wave coming over the side- they were experienced seamen. Their cry, “Master we’re going to drown!” was not an exaggeration. Moreover, it showed concern for him as well as for themselves. 

He expects us to trust him, come what may. Lilias Trotter of Algiers well expresses what this involves: “Trust in a Christ who is not working - ‘He answered her not a word.’ Trust in a Christ who seems not to be caring - ‘Asleep on a pillow.’ Trust in a Christ who seems to have failed - ‘He that should have redeemed Israel.’” 

Real faith trusts a sleeping Christ in the midst of the tempest. This is the implication of Jesus’ question. Real faith believes, even when the wind is still raging, that “with Christ in the vessel, we’ll weather the storm.”

<Daily Encouragement - Day 218>