Journal Luke 8 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “One day (Jesus) got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.”
So, they set out, and as they sailed (Jesus) fell asleep.
And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
And (Jesus) awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.
(Jesus) said to (the disciples), “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled…” (Luke 8:22-25a)
Observation: What is the point of this section? Is it that Jesus has command over nature or is it the question to the disciples on where was their faith?
Analysis: I was thinking about how I get caught in the trap of trying to read too much into a section of scripture or take some things out.
For instance, this section of Jesus taking a boat ride across the sea of Galilee. He suggested a boat ride and took a nap along the way. A sudden storm arose, big enough that seasoned boat handlers were frightened, the boat was threatening to swamp.
I wonder if any of these guys (Peter?) were thinking, 1) Turn around; 2) Press on; 3) Don’t wake Jesus up. Note: I think I can infer that Jesus slept like a log when needed; not a light sleeper.
So, when the storm got a bit too much for these he-men of the sea to handle, they resorted to (reluctantly?) waking the Master up.
So, what did Jesus do?
Perhaps after yawning and stretching, he looked around and maybe shook his head, wiped the spray out of his eyes, and told the sea and the wind to be still, and voila’—the sea and the wind were calm again.
So, what did Jesus do after that?
Critiqued? Rebuked? He certainly questioned the disciples, “Where is your faith?”
This question begs a response from the disciples. What were they supposed to do? What happened was that the only response from the disciples was a dumbfounded look…and that isn’t exactly the answer Jesus might have been looking for.
Up to this point, Jesus was setting the example: Preaching the Kingdom, casting out demons, healing the sick, lame, and blind. This may be a stretch but, were the disciples taking notes? “I am showing you how to do these things so that you can imitate Me?” Is that where Jesus was going with the question, “Where is your faith?”
In the beginning of Chapter 10, Jesus commissions the Twelve with these supernatural attributes saying, “Go and do these things.”
Now, here is the point of this post and that I have struggled with and have seen others struggle likewise: Is what the Twelve were commissioned to do the same as what disciples of today are supposed to do? Does the preaching of the Kingdom/Gospel go supernaturally hand in hand with the faith necessary to accomplish miracles? Check out Mark 16:14-20…
Where is my faith?
Or am I huddled in the middle of the boat in fear hoping that Jesus will wake up and take care of things?
Prayer: Lord God, wake me up to your Spirit.
Amen.
Ricky Two Shoes