Jesus Has Power Over the Storm

Are you battling some storms? Are the navigational waters of life choppy? In his book! Jesus the King, Tim Keller uses the story of Jesus and the disciples in the middle of the storm in the fourth chapter of Mark's gospel to challenge our thinking about the presence of God in the middle of life's squalls.

The storm on the Sea of Galilee was formidable.  Remember these guys lived in the region and most of them fished for a living so they knew all about these violent storms when the cold air from Mt. Hermon collided with the humid, moist air on the sea.  But even seasoned sailors run into unusual situations they've never experienced on the water.  And this one was so bad they thought they were
gonna drown.

After Jesus stops the storm and the waters go dead calm (not even a wake of waves!), He challenges and admonishes them like a disappointed parent: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Their response was one of terrifying wonder at what Jesus had just done.  To which Keller observes: Before Jesus calms the storm, they're afraid---but after Jesus calms the storm they're terrified.

Keller's whole point is the incredible power of God residing in Jesus.  We miss that don't we?  How many times have we faced even serious life storms and totally forgotten that Jesus, creator of the winds and waves is Lord of the storm?  I have many times. I become so obsessed with "my" issue, problem or trouble that I totally forget His power.  I even cry out to Him as if He isn't aware of what I'm facing.  LOL! That's funny if you stop and really think about it.  Like we need to inform God.  He knows EVERYTHING we face---whether it's the consequences of poor decisions, the work of Satan, outside forces beyond our control, His discipline, or just "life junk".  We often run to Him with trouble as if we are the town crier giving Him the first report of such news.  In the middle of our storm we forget His power and the depth of His love:

If the disciples had really known that Jesus loved them, if they had really understood that he is both powerful and loving, they would not have been scared.....He can love somebody and still let bad things happen to them, because he is God---because he knows better than they do.

Keller notes that the crucifixion of Christ was the worst storm the earth has ever known.  He withstood it for our sake. His love is that deep and that powerful.  It silenced the sin storm between humanity and God forever!  To paraphrase Keller: If Jesus didn't abandon us in the violent storm called Calvary, why would He abandon us in the storms of life?