Daily devotional · October 3
Jesus in the Boat
“When that evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side.” After they had dismissed the crowd, they took Jesus with them, since He was already in the boat. And there were other boats with Him. Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?””
The disciples were experienced fishermen, and still they panicked. Jesus was in the same boat, asleep, and they wondered whether He cared. Many of us have asked that question in the middle of illness, debt or a broken relationship. The story does not promise that storms will never come, since Jesus was with them when the wind rose. It shows that His presence is stronger than the storm and that He speaks to it with authority. Their fear then turned into awe, a deeper kind of question about who He is. Today, name the storm you are in and picture Jesus in your boat, not standing on the shore. Say to Him honestly, without polishing your words, what you are afraid of. Then take one practical step within your reach and leave the wind to Him.
Prayer
Jesus, You are in my boat. Speak peace over what frightens me, and steady my heart. Amen.