Same Storm - Different Boats

Same Storm - Different Boats

The story is familiar. In the late afternoon of a long day, Jesus indicated that they were to head over to the other side of the lake. It is to their credit that, despite the fact night was falling and the other side was not a destination any of them would have chosen, they took Him in a boat belonging to one of them and headed out across the lake.

 A few of them were experienced on these waters and the others would likely do as instructed – which, for the most part, would have been to row the boat into the gathering night. The storm would have been expected and, while unpleasant, not overtly threatening as long as they kept the front of the boat headed into the waves. It would have been the task of the one sitting on the cushion, hand on the rudder, at the back of the boat to ensure that this happened. But, instead of heading into the waves, the boat got sideways to them – so much so that they were breaking over the boat, filling it up at an alarming rate. Jesus’ failure to do what he was supposed to do, choosing to sleep on the cushion instead, put them at risk to the point that they believed their lives were in danger.

Quickly diagnosing the problem, they woke Him, questioning whether He cared that they were about to perish. Jesus, still half asleep, rises up on one elbow and speaks to the wind and sea in language they recognized from previous exorcisms – likely adding to their fear. Then, bleary eyed, drifting back to sleep, he teases them, “How is that you are you so… timid? Do you still have no faith?” They are dumb-founded – more afraid in the immediate stillness which resulted from the storm’s obedience, than they were when it was at the height of its raging. Their question, “Who is this?” suggests that Jesus was right in His assessment that they had no faith – that they didn’t yet stand in the reality of Who He was.

Mark includes a tiny detail in telling this story that I missed for years. As the disciples set out with Jesus, he records, “…and other boats were with them.” That suggests that a small flotilla set off in the late afternoon to join Jesus’ mission to the other side – and that, therefore, the ensuing storm – and the same sudden, glass-flat stillness of the water – was experienced equally by all, but differently by each. The others will not have had a clue what has gone on; while they will have experienced the same storm, they will have missed the point, and missed knowing of the One revealed in it.

I was reminded of that story this past week in reading someone’s post regarding the current pandemic to the effect that, while we are all in the same storm, we are not in the same boat. It is incumbent on those who know Who Jesus is – who have faith – to tell the story of His non-anxious Presence. And, by our non-anxious, faith-full presence, to bring a measure of peace in the midst of this common storm. In other words, to join Jesus on His mission to those on the other side.