Jesus continued his way alongside of Capernaum, for his enemies were willing to kill him. He began wandering about unsteadily, passed by all the villages of the region, and slept in the wilderness in order that nobody should know his place, for the hour of his death had not come yet. Christ himself appointed the place and time for his victory.
When Jesus went over the lake in a boat, the devil tried to destroy the Son of God and his followers by drowning him in the rough waves. But Jesus slept calmly and serenely, with a pure conscience, preserved with the protective care of his Father. His Spirit dwelt in God, and his will was in full harmony with his Father’s. He did not fear death, nor was he frightened of its danger. Nevertheless, the fatigue of his ministry had worn him out. He had walked many kilometers, and his soul had starved greatly in prayers, faith, love, and enduring difficult people. The Man Jesus slept peacefully in spite of the waves, which clashed against the boat.
The disciples, as experienced fishermen who knew every mood of the lake, made every effort to hold out against the storm, but the devil’s attack surpassed their human ability, and the boat became gradually filled with water. So they tried to empty the boat from the water that dashed into it, but the storm was violent, and the waves became very high. Yet, Jesus remained asleep. The wind blew, the sail split apart, and they were greatly afraid. Yet, Christ was soundly asleep, feeling safe in the hands of his Father.
Then the disciples came to him who was asleep, awoke him, confessed their inability, and screamed in the midst of the storm fearing death when a billow came toward them as an overwhelming mountain to devour them. Christ got up. He did not preach the hopeless for half an hour or more, nor did he discuss with them the reason for the storm, but cried out one word against the guffaw of demons, and immediately the winds and the waves became completely calm. The Creator ordered his creation, and his creation obeyed him. The Lord of the spirits commanded the wind and it became silent.
In the silence of frightened hell, Jesus began to speak to his disciples. He gave them a rebuke for their inordinate fear, and asked them about their faith; but they drew back fearfully, for they felt that the Lord of the spirits was standing before them. Yet, Jesus is not a devil, but he is the incarnate love of God. He is not covenanted with Satan, but he is the Savior of the world who demands of us to believe in his divinity. Without this faith, we cannot be saved, nor can we find help and blessing, for the living faith means to be engaged and covenanted with Jesus forever. Do you believe in the Son of God? Then his holy powers drive out your hopelessness, and you gain heavenly power, for our faith is not lifeless doctrine, or logical proofs of books, but holding fast to the Lord that has been raised from the dead, conquering all grave powers.
The fellowship of faithful fishermen on Christ’s boat is a token of the church at all times. Today, we are not living in the quietness of heaven, but are crossing the rough sea of humans, and the devil is determined to destroy all those who believe in Christ. But if we lived with Christ on one boat, he would embrace us, for he forgave us our sins and sanctified our characters that we might not fall as long as we are in his Father’s communion. He allows us to seek his help in hardships and dangers, not fearfully and hopelessly, but trustfully and thankfully, for he protects us in the eruption of elements, and keeps us safe from the hatred and rage of hell. Do you abide by Christ’s fellowship on the boat of church? Did you experience the presence of God’s peace in your heart when the peace of Christ had silenced the troubled waves within you?