Finding Jesus in the Eye of the Storm

By: Edward Cortez

 

I n this life we may always find ourselves in one of three places: heading into storm, in a storm, or emerging from a storm. The gospel of Mark tells of a story about the disciples of Jesus who were caught in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 6:45-52). Prior to this event, they had just witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the multitude by Jesus when he multiplied the five loaves of bread and two fish. They were in high spirits as they got into the boat late in the day headed to Bethsaida. But their celebration turned into chaos when they encountered a monstrous storm in the middle of the sea.

Mark’s account tells us that it was Jesus who compelled the disciples to get into the boat while he went to the mountain alone to pray. He was the one who orchestrated the whole event. There are times when God would allow us to experience trials to test, strengthen, and develop our faith. The Sea of Galilee can be very peaceful and quiet one moment and then it can turn deadly and violent the next. In John’s gospel, it is stated that the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. Just as sudden storms are inevitable on the Sea of Galilee, sudden storms can descend upon our lives as well.

But the most significant thing is Jesus was on the mountaintop, and he was praying for his people. Mark states that Jesus saw them straining at rowing because the wind was against them. The disciples were totally exhausted, wet, cold, beaten, and scared as they had been at sea for hours. If they left at 6 pm the previous evening and the storm hit at 3 am (the fourth watch), then they had been stuck in the middle of the sea for up to 9 hours. But Jesus saw them. He had been watching them all this time. This is very reassuring for us when we go through trials and tribulations to know that Jesus is praying for us. Hebrews 7:25 tells us, “Therefore, he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

And then Jesus came near walking upon the raging sea defying the laws of nature to demonstrate His power over the winds and the waves – the storms of our lives. Job says that “God alone stretches out the heavens, and he tramples down the waves of the sea” (Job 9:8). The disciples were terrified upon seeing Jesus walking on water. They thought they were seeing a ghost! But Jesus made himself known to them by saying, “It is I, do not be afraid.” And as soon as he got into the boat, the raging sea became calm, and they got to their destination safely. They found Jesus in the eye of the storm. Peace is not the absence of storm in life. It is the presence of Jesus in the midst of the storm.

Jesus neither promises us a scot-free life nor a smooth journey without the bumps on the road and the twist and turns of life on earth. But he did promise us a safe landing. He declared in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

The disciples learned a very important lesson that day. That Jesus was not only a mere man, but he is the all-powerful Son of God who came in the flesh to be the Savior of the world. After this life-changing event, Peter confessed to Jesus in the gospel of John, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68,69).