May 29, 2004

THE MASTER OF THE TEMPEST

"The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!' " (Matthew 8:27, NIV).

Awakened out of sleep by the desperate cry of the terrified disciples, Jesus realized that their fragile boat was threatened by a fierce storm on the lake of Galilee. Unperturbed, the Master gently rebuked the disciples, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26, NIV). Then the loving Lord and master of all nature got up, "rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm" (Matthew 8:26, NIV).

Absolutely amazed at the power of their master, the disciples asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" (Matthew 8:27, NIV). This extraordinary God-man was the very One who spoke our planet into existence. This was no mere coincidence or magical display, but true divinity at work. Before the astonished disciples, Jesus had produced order out of chaos, calm out of storm, stillness out of restlessness. This stunning act of divine power had once again reaffirmed Christ's credibility as the Messiah, master of all creation, and the indisputable Lord of all.

How very comforting to know that in our mundane troubles and trials, in our turmoils and tempests, Jesus is still available to bring order to our chaos. He who ordered, "Peace, be still!" is ever present today, and His formula for calm is still the same. When our tempests threaten, remember these words: "We are as helpless here as were the disciples to quiet the raging storm. But He who spoke peace to the billows of Galilee, has spoken the word of peace for every soul. However fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, 'Lord, save us,' will find deliverance."--Reflecting Christ, p. 278.

My Prayer Today: Lord, rebuke the tempests of my life and change my storm into calm. Amen.