Storms of Life
Matthew 14:22-24: "Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them."
Jesus and the disciples had just spent a very long day ministering to the crowds. Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him, then dismissed the crowds so that he could spend time alone with his Father. While Jesus prayed, the disciples found themselves in a major storm. The winds and the waves were beating against the boat; they were exhausted as it was well into the night at this point. I am sure they were asking many questions: "Why me?" or "Why us?" or "Where is Jesus when you need him?"
Jesus was teaching these disciples who he is, what he had come to do, and that he has authority over illnesses, infirmities, and demons, as well as the wind and the waves. Eventually, these fearful men would become disciples of great faith. That faith was learned through the storms.
During storms, we also ask many questions. What the disciples learned was that Jesus knew about the storm; he had a plan and a time for their rescue. Seeing Jesus work in the storms of the disciples teaches us that Jesus has complete control of every storm in our lives. Even when we don't think he sees or knows, Jesus is there. He has a plan for us. The storms are there to rock us, to test us, and ultimately to strengthen us.
How do you view the storms of your life right now? Are you trusting Jesus to come into those storms? In the last chapter of Matthew, Jesus speaks these words: "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (28:20). Jesus assures us of his presence with us, even in the strongest of storms!
Jesus and the disciples had just spent a very long day ministering to the crowds. Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him, then dismissed the crowds so that he could spend time alone with his Father. While Jesus prayed, the disciples found themselves in a major storm. The winds and the waves were beating against the boat; they were exhausted as it was well into the night at this point. I am sure they were asking many questions: "Why me?" or "Why us?" or "Where is Jesus when you need him?"
Jesus was teaching these disciples who he is, what he had come to do, and that he has authority over illnesses, infirmities, and demons, as well as the wind and the waves. Eventually, these fearful men would become disciples of great faith. That faith was learned through the storms.
During storms, we also ask many questions. What the disciples learned was that Jesus knew about the storm; he had a plan and a time for their rescue. Seeing Jesus work in the storms of the disciples teaches us that Jesus has complete control of every storm in our lives. Even when we don't think he sees or knows, Jesus is there. He has a plan for us. The storms are there to rock us, to test us, and ultimately to strengthen us.
How do you view the storms of your life right now? Are you trusting Jesus to come into those storms? In the last chapter of Matthew, Jesus speaks these words: "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (28:20). Jesus assures us of his presence with us, even in the strongest of storms!
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