When Hurricane Katrina approached New Orleans, where my family and I were living, in 2005, it was reported to be a massive storm. It was eventually registered as a Category 5 storm, the worst kind, and as expected, it was catastrophic. Katrina went down as one of the most destructive storms registered in history. I remember being afraid just as the Disciples were the night they got caught in a similar storm while out at sea.
The story is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Matthew describes this storm as a “great” storm, Megas in Greek. (See Matthew 8:24) Maybe you’ve heard of a Mega Store, or Mega something to describe the largeness of it. In other words, it was a category 5 storm. Although the Disciples were experienced sailors, this particular storm had them fearing for their lives, in the same way that some of us may be feeling today, even though we are “experienced” Christians.
That night the Disciples were afraid, and awoke Jesus. Yes, Jesus was onboard, but He was fast asleep. Mark even tells us that he laid on a pillow (see Mark 4:38). The Disciples were scared, so they awoke Jesus and asked Him if He did not care that they were about to die. Mark uses the word “perishing,” “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing” which can mean destroyed, dying, lost, or even cut off from God permanently. Jesus asked, why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith? In other words, Do you not trust me? In Revelation 21:7-8, John encourages us not to be “cowardly” or faithless, unbelieving (verse 8) but instead to overcome or prevail, because we get to live with Jesus forever; no more crying, fear, death or pain.
Although the Disciples were asking Jesus if He even cared, several verses back, Jesus had healed a leper, the servant of a centurion, and Peter’s mother-in-law. The leper had faith that Jesus could heal him, and He did. The centurion had “great faith” that Jesus could heal his servant, and He did. So where was the faith of the Disciples that night? Before Jesus brings calmness to the storm, He questions their faith, asking them why they are afraid. The Disciples had not yet understood. In verse 17 of this same chapter, Matthew quotes the Prophet Isaiah “He Himself took [endured, removed] our infirmities and carried away our diseases.” Could the Disciples have been afraid because, as one author states, “We’re about to die before we are saved,” believing the Disciples had not yet been converted?
What are we afraid of today? The times in which we are living are unpredictable, yet one thing is certain: Jesus is coming soon! The same Jesus that spoke and calmed nature that night is the same Jesus that will return, and today He wants to bring calmness and assurance into our lives.
Jesus Himself has taken our infirmities, timidity, sickness, diseases, and weakness. The once fearful and scared Disciples later became changed men. They were committed to God and their ministry after this. Jesus is our anchor, hope and salvation. May we live with the assurance of our future and our salvation, knowing that Jesus paid it all, and that He is willing and able to bring Megas calmness to our lives!