Storm Master

In March 1992, ten foot waves crashed into downtown Tiberius on the shore of Lake Galilee, causing significant damage.

As lakes go, Galilee isn’t very large – 13 miles long and 8 miles wide, but violent storms can erupt very quickly as cool air rushes down from the adjacent mountains – the Arbel on the west, seen in the photo here, and the Golan Heights 1200 meters above the lake on the east .

The disciples were seasoned fisherman familiar with the lake’s turbulent ways. They knew how to handle her storms. On one occasion, Jesus was asleep in the boat when the winds hit.
The rugged fishermen rowed for their lives as waves surged and broke with fury over the sides and threaten to swamp the boat. All their rowing and bailing were a losing effort against the storm. They were in peril and they knew it. They woke Jesus, shouting that they were about to go under.

Jesus stood and ordered the winds to be quiet and the waves to settle down. Within moments the sea was glass and the tattered sails hung limp on the mast.

The disciples blinked in stunned disbelief.
“Who is this man?” they asked each other; “even the wind and the waves obey his word?”

Painting by James Seward, Golden Coast Gallery

We can discount this story as an exaggeration or reduce it to a metaphor. I regard it as the testimony of eye-witnesses who experienced something truly astonishing. All four Gospels tell the story – either this one or another similar one – or both.  (Matthew 8, Matthew 14, Mark 4, Mark 6, Luke 8, John 6) 

The disciples faced a deadly terror –  and then suddenly, relief beyond words! They told their experience over and over again for the rest of their lives; something extraordinary had occurred that night! They had heard the Creator’s voice; they had seen his power and authority over nature – and they called him “Prince of Peace", Master of Storms.

Those men went on to face other storms. Waves of persecution engulfed the fledgling church. They weathered political opposition, religious hostility and cultural turbulence as they embraced people from the far corners of the world. But nothing could shake their certainty. Even in the dark waters – or fires - of martyrdom they heard the voice of the Storm-Master. And they knew his peace.