Image by davedhetre reused under CC license
The story of Jesus calming the storm can be read on many levels: at the most basic, it is a display of Jesus’s authority over the storm. On a different level, we can draw parallels with prayer. Looking closer, we notice that Jesus rebukes his disciples when they wake him.
Puzzlement follows. Why should he rebuke his disciples when all they do is give over the matters to him? When they place their trust in him?
There are two elements:
- They turn to Jesus when they are most afraid. Only as a last resort, almost reluctantly.
- They actually are afraid. This is where we must keep in mind that it is Jesus who suggested the trip.
Praying at all times is important. It is a privilege, and the way to know the peace that comes from God. This should be done in thanksgiving, and in complete confidence that God will see us through.
But in this story, the disciples had to wake up Jesus, because they feared – feared that the plan he had set would not come through. In doing so, they did not recognise that Jesus had authority over all.
When the going gets tough, we sometimes feel like we must pray – “pray until something happens”. Should we do so, or should we simply trust God has heard our prayers?
Still, there is another lesson to be drawn from this story. Jesus woke up. Even when we wake up God for no serious reason, he calms us and the storm.
