Sunday 23rd February 2025 – 2 before Lent

The sea of Galilee is noted for its changeable weather – one minute serene and calm, the next squalling winds and rain.

Peter, James and John would have been only too aware of the lake’s temperamental nature and how to see out one of it’s vengeful squalls.

So when Jesus suggests crossing the lake by boat, they would have set out with confidence. But even with their confidence, when a squall does rise up, the disciples are afraid. This must have been worse that they’d previously experienced.

They turn to the sleeping Jesus for help. ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’

Getting to His feet, He told the wind, “Silence!” and the waves, “Quiet down!” They did it. The lake became smooth as glass (Luke 8:24, MSG)

After calming the storm, Jesus rebukes the disciples, ‘Where is your faith?’

And they are amazed, and a little frightened, wondering, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.’

The episode teaches us two things.

Firstly, that Jesus, as the Son of God, has real power, such that even the winds and waves obey Him. And also, that with Jesus in our lives, we can trust Him to see us through the storms of life.

There is the children’s chorus:

With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm as we go sailing home.

I’m not sure that ‘smile at the storm’ is quite the phrase I’d use but you get the point!

We can smile at the storm, we can trust Him because of who He is, the Son of God; Son of the immortal, invisible, God only wise.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

when sorrows like sea billows roll;

whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.

Rev Phil