They Answered Their Own Question
by David Gibson
Two incidents involving Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee during rough weather are illustrative of how faith can be reinforced.
Stilling the storm
The disciples were scared out of their wits by the violence of the storm that appeared to threaten their boat—and their lives. But it only appeared to threaten. With Jesus on board, there was no need to panic.
Wakening Jesus, they cried, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38).
Were they perishing? No. Did Jesus not care? Of course, He cared—enough to still the storm and then ask, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Their problem was not the storm, as they had thought, but a weak faith.
“And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” (Mark 4:41).
No longer did they fear the storm—it was over. This is a vastly different kind of fear—overwhelming awe in view of the absolute power of the Christ, so far above and beyond limited human comprehension.
Walking on the water
Same sea, same Jesus, and evidently the same disciples. Once more, the sea is tossed by the wind, and during the night, they see someone walking on the water! Frightened by what they thought was a ghost, they were calmed by the familiar voice, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).
Then follows Peter’s request to walk on the water, which Jesus granted. But fearful of the wind, he sank and cried out, “Lord, save me!”--and this too Jesus granted.
When the two climbed back into the boat (Peter wet, Jesus dry), “the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
The lesson for us
Evidently, both of these water miracles were designed to bolster the disciples’ faith in Christ, and it did.
In the first instance, they asked, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” In the second incident, they answer their own question, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
During this time in my life as my soul is tossed about with great concerns and fears, how I need to hear again what Jesus said on these two occasions--first to all the disciples on board, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40), and to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Fear versus faith.
In view of who He is and what He can do, why am I afraid? Why do I doubt?
