Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
- Luke 8:22-25a NKJ
I’ve always been fascinated by the questions Jesus asks his followers. I mean, it’s not like he doesn’t already know the answers. Jesus’ questions are never random or rhetorical, but always revealing. Like a perfectly aimed arrow, His words pierce to the core of our beliefs and bring truth to the surface.
As the disciples are on mission with Jesus, one day He decides to head to the “other side” of the lake where they will encounter a very disturbed individual and witness an incredible healing. But they don’t know that yet. This story takes place in the middle of the lake where a terrible storm suddenly kicks up…and Jesus is asleep in the boat. Apparently so exhausted or unconcerned that he's sleeping right through it.
Mark’s gospel adds this piece, “And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing.” Perhaps they believed that Jesus could do something about the storm but didn’t care enough to wake up and do it. Nevertheless, Jesus calms the wind and waves with a word and then asks this question, “Where is your faith?"
Sometimes I think my journey with Jesus should always be smooth sailing. Or I think the current storm is so much worse than storms of the past. Maybe Jesus is asleep this time. Maybe He doesn’t care. Maybe it’s too powerful and we’re all going to drown! But then I hear Him ask: “Where…if not in Me…is your faith?” Never a sarcastic or accusing tone - just gently revealing. And if I let the honest answer rise to the surface, He will restore and prepare my faith for ministry on the other side.
As we start a new year ~ with inevitable storms ~ let’s not be afraid to lean into Jesus’ questions on our journey to new places with Him.
- Jennifer Hanson
- Luke 8:22-25a NKJ
I’ve always been fascinated by the questions Jesus asks his followers. I mean, it’s not like he doesn’t already know the answers. Jesus’ questions are never random or rhetorical, but always revealing. Like a perfectly aimed arrow, His words pierce to the core of our beliefs and bring truth to the surface.
As the disciples are on mission with Jesus, one day He decides to head to the “other side” of the lake where they will encounter a very disturbed individual and witness an incredible healing. But they don’t know that yet. This story takes place in the middle of the lake where a terrible storm suddenly kicks up…and Jesus is asleep in the boat. Apparently so exhausted or unconcerned that he's sleeping right through it.
Mark’s gospel adds this piece, “And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing.” Perhaps they believed that Jesus could do something about the storm but didn’t care enough to wake up and do it. Nevertheless, Jesus calms the wind and waves with a word and then asks this question, “Where is your faith?"
Sometimes I think my journey with Jesus should always be smooth sailing. Or I think the current storm is so much worse than storms of the past. Maybe Jesus is asleep this time. Maybe He doesn’t care. Maybe it’s too powerful and we’re all going to drown! But then I hear Him ask: “Where…if not in Me…is your faith?” Never a sarcastic or accusing tone - just gently revealing. And if I let the honest answer rise to the surface, He will restore and prepare my faith for ministry on the other side.
As we start a new year ~ with inevitable storms ~ let’s not be afraid to lean into Jesus’ questions on our journey to new places with Him.
- Jennifer Hanson