The Proper Response in a Storm

Several times in the Gospels it appears that Jesus left His disciples “on their own” without any immediate visible assistance from Himself. One of these times is recorded Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52. On this occasion, Jesus sent His disciples straight into a storm, while He went away to pray. Both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus was quite direct about it and “compelled” (KJV) them to go. The Greek term here means “to force.” Once out in the middle of the sea, a storm arose, so that their boat was “battered (Greek word meaning “tormented”) by the waves.”

Let us stop here and ponder a couple of questions: Where did the storm come from? Who sent the storm?

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the supreme Ruler of the world, we are told that “all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things , and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:15-17). Hebrews 1:3 states that He “sustains all things by His powerful word.” In Psalm 147, we are told that it is God who “covers the sky with clouds, He supplies the earth with rain . . . He stirs up His breezes and the waters flow.” The Scriptures show us that God is in control of the wind and the water. I believe that Jesus wanted His disciples to learn the lesson of “storms.” Storms, of all kinds, should not make us afraid – because “storms” are sent by the Lord while He prays for His people (Heb. 7:25). Nothing touches your life unless it passes through the Hand of God.

Later, around 3:00 a.m., Jesus went out to meet the boat – walking on the water! He cried out to His disciples “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” He had sent the storm, not to frighten them, but to teach them about His nature, goodness, and power.

With his usual impulsiveness, Peter responded by asking to walk on the water out to Jesus. Jesus responds to Peter with one word: “Come.” I believe that the lesson Jesus was teaching through this is that faith runs toward Christ in a storm, not from Him. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to walk on the water, in the midst of the storm.

But the miracles were not over. Once Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the storm stopped. Why? Because its job was finished. The purpose of the storm’s existence was to teach the disciples about Christ’s power, as soon as that had been accomplished, there was no longer a reason for the storm. The storm lasts until its mission is accomplished. Jesus was teaching His disciples that not only did He have the power to “conquer” the elements, but that, whether the elements are “conquered” or not, He is in control. It is here that Matthew records that those who were in the boat worshipped Him saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God” (Matt. 14:33).

If we pay attention, storms can enable us to recognize Christ’s power and learn to trust Him. In the midst of the storm Christ is calling to us to trust in Him. He is sovereign over the storms, and He sends them to display His goodness and power. Along with Job, we should confess that blessing and calamity alike come from God (Job 1:20-21; 2:10), and the crucial point is not that we can see what God is totally up to, but that “He knows the way that I take, when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

What should be our response in the midst of a storm? We should run to Him, trust Him, imitate Him, and keep our eyes fixed on Him (Heb. 12:2). Look at Jesus, not the “storm.” As the Scripture tells us; “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Ps. 9:9-10).