The Sea of Galilee is an important backdrop for so many events described in the New Testament. It was around the shores of Galilee that Jesus recruited His first Disciples, established His public ministry, performed the miraculous feeding, and delivered the Sermon on the Mount. 

BE STILL

On the third day of our tour of Israel, we had the privilege of taking a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The sun was bright and the sea was smooth. I took a picture of a small boat that passed by ours. Looking at it now, I can’t help but think about how blessed I was to be on the same tranquil lake that Jesus sailed with His disciples. The water that carried us that day was peaceful and pleasant, but on the Sea of Galilee, things can change quickly:

“Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!

"He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

“The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” (Matthew 8:23-27) 

If the year 2020 has taught us anything, it should be how quickly our circumstances can change. Like the disciples on the boat, it’s easy to resort to panic when storms reign above us. As the wind and waves showed a frightening display of strength and power, the disciples realized how inadequate they were and did the best thing they could do: they cried out to Jesus.

Everything Jesus did was intentional, to include leading His disciples to the other side of the lake. They obediently followed Him, not knowing a storm was coming. I believe Jesus did this in order to demonstrate how we are meant to respond when the problems of this world hit us hard, fast, and out of nowhere. He offered a peace that surpassed understanding, even while everyone else in the boat panicked.

Engagement brings clarity, so Jesus gave His disciples a front row seat to understand the might of His power in every human situation. He turned chaos into calm with one rebuke. Instant obedience from the wind and the waves was the result!

Like the storm on the Sea of Galilee, 2020 has delivered problems that hit us hard, fast, and out of nowhere. In the same way the apostles reacted with fear and stress, many of us have felt extreme anxiety and worry for the future. May we respond to the crises we face in faith and not react in panic. Jesus promised that no one will exit this life problem-free—that’s the bad news we must accept. The good news is that He is more powerful than any storm, problem, worry, or fear that comes our way. The God who overcame the storm on the Sea of Galilee is the same God who has overcome the world. Because of Jesus, our hearts can be still, knowing He is God. 

“If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” - Thomas Watson