His Disciple: Where Is Your Faith?

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. – Luke 8:22-25

Here is what I see.

It was Jesus who led the way to the other side of the lake, not the disciples, and I remember that, as a disciple, I don’t choose where we go, Jesus does.

Jesus led them into a storm, but the only reason those disciples experienced that storm is because they were disciples, obediently following their Rabbi. Jonah hit a storm too, but it was because of his disobedience. Storms will come, but I’d much rather have it come to my obedience than to my rebellion.

Jesus slept and I bet it’s because He was tired. In His humanity, He knew what it feels like to give of ourselves to the point of exhaustion. So if you think He doesn’t get how dog-tired you are, you’re wrong. He felt it enough to fall asleep on a boat knowing a storm was on its way.

“They were in great danger.” They didn’t just panic for no reason. These were seasoned fishermen who knew the real danger of a sudden squall threatening to capsize their boat. So what did they do in their panic? They did the obvious. They woke Jesus up and let Him know they were all about to die. The point I want to make is that they didn’t try to save themselves. They didn’t get busy doing what they knew to do. Even if we come to Him with our hair on fire in panic, coming to Him is the best possible thing we can do.

Where is your faith? Maybe this is controversial, maybe not, but here is what I believe. I don’t think Jesus was questioning their faith because they were afraid. I think this storm was worthy of a healthy amount of fear, but it was not worthy of their faith. I can’t help but think He was asking them where they were putting their faith during the storm.

In other words, where is your faith? In the storm, or in Jesus?

As His disciples we will experience storms, but we will experience them with Him on the boat with us, not watching us from the shore. May we always trust that the One who is with us is far greater than what comes against us.

Lord, no matter what my storm looks like, You are still the God who commands the waves. Help me trust You to be greater than the storm.