Peace in the Storms of Life

Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.  When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going (John 6:15-21).

Jesus allowed multitudes to witness many of his miracles, but for this one he chose a select few that He called disciples. These would have to learn to patiently trust him. These would have to learn to endure trials. These would know him more intimately than others… “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). The storm did not arise out of nowhere. As Creator and Sustainer of the world and everything in it, Jesus planned and executed this storm... “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). This storm was for the benefit of these selected disciples… “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Jesus would use this storm to show the disciples something new about their relationship to Him. His disciples would learn that as long as they looked to the Savior they would find peace in the storms of life.

Today we see Jesus revealing again that He was both God and man… “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). In withdrawing from the crowd that wanted to make Him their king, Jesus revealed that in his humanity He was tempted in just as we are… “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).  In rejecting the will of the crowd in favor of surrendering to God’s will, Jesus taught the disciples by how to choose God’s will over the temptation of the world… “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). He lived out the very truth He taught His disciples to pray for… “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The Spirit inspired John to remind the church to choose the will of God over the ways of the world in one of His letters… “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:16-17). The first step toward experiencing the peace of God in the storms of life is to resist the world’s temptation and diligently pursue the will of God.

In walking on the water Jesus demonstrated that He is God… “I and the Father are one” (John 10:22, 30).  He illustrated the important truth that as Creator of the natural world He rules over its fickle elements…  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3). In coming to them, calming the storm, and instantaneously delivering the disciples to their destination, Jesus assured His disciples that He would always be near them to care for them… “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He exhorts His disciples in every age to look to Him in the storms of life… “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by” (Psalm 57:1). The second step toward experiencing the peace of God in the storms of life is to let them move you closer to Christ.

As we grow up into Christ looking to Him in the tempests of this temporal life, Jesus will provide…

Peace in the Storms of Life.