Facing our Fear

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March 21st, 2012

I have always wondered why Jesus and his disciples got in the boat. Weren’t at least four of the disciples Galilean fishermen? Couldn’t they feel a storm in the air? It helps to understand that violent, sudden storms are the norm for the Sea of Galilee. When cool air from the 2,000 foot high Golan Heights funnels through the hills and meets the warm, moist air of the lake’s center, storms arise quickly and without warning.

So, it is not surprising that Jesus and the disciples ran into a storm. What is surprising is Jesus response to his disciples’ fear. He first calmed the storm and then asked why they were so fearful, why they had such little faith. Their response explains it all, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Despite being Jesus’ 12 chosen disciples, they still did not understand fully that he was the Messiah. Are we like that? Do we face storms and forget Jesus is in the boat with us? Hear his words again, “Be still!”