Sunday 5 July, 2015

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Jesus is moving to another ministry location – this time by boat, while travelling a severe storm blows up. The disciples fear for their lives as the boat is about to sink but Jesus speaks to the storm to be still and it does, to a “dead calm”.

My favourite song at the moment has words that echo this event – “the wind and waves still know His name”. This has been such an encouragement to hang on to these past months – I often read these stories & events in Jesus ministry and forget that this is an incredible supernatural event that left the disciples dumbfounded – but it is still a truth for me today. The storms in our lives still respond to the name of Jesus. “Thru it all my eyes are on you and it is well with my soul”.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow – and that the waves and wind still know your name!

Written by Suzie Hodgson