Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the Vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
John 15:4
Then Jesus got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Ponder this for a moment: Jesus got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. As followers of Christ, we are not exempt from the storms of life. As long as we live in this life we will be met with storms. Hence we must be make it our chief aim to meet with Jesus.
In a brutal storm right now? Or are you like me just coming out of a fierce whirlwind? It seems to be a storm season for a lot of us. It's like once one blows over suddenly out of nowhere here comes another downpour. From financial hardship, strained marriages, sickness, loss of a loved one, etc. Some are facing literal storms, hurricanes, and many other natural disasters.
Jesus and His disciples were in a furious storm. The waves were so high that the boat was about to be swamped and the disciples began to panic and become fearful. Know the feeling? Feeling tossed to and fro? Gripped with fear? Overwhelmed by the waves of life and the treacherous winds of circumstance that threaten to overtake you?
While the disciples were in a frenzy Jesus was sleeping soundly. How was Jesus able to sleep in this treacherous storm? Let's dig just a little deeper. If we look at Jesus' physical posture in the boat it will help us to ascertain His spiritual posture in the Father. Jesus' position in the natural was in the boat. Jesus' position in the Spirit was in the Father. Listen to His words to His disciples, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? (John 14:10a)
Jesus was able to sleep during the storm because He was in continual fellowship with the Father. In the Father, He found rest, empowerment, assurance of faith, and a knowing that God was sovereign over the storm.
Jesus extends this same grace to us as He beckons us to, "Abide in Me and I in you." When we abide (dwell, stay) in Him, He imparts to us His peace among many other divine graces.
Abiding in Jesus empowers us to weather the storms. Only in Him can we have an inner calm when the storms threaten to uproot us. Yes, we will have times of "little" faith. So did the disciples and they literally walked with Jesus for three years and were first-hand witnesses to His miracles.
Trials will come to test our faith but as we are purposeful to abide in Jesus, stay anchored in Him, and cry out to Him as did the disciples, He will carry us through to the other side. Just as Jesus was in the storm with the disciples, He is with us always even until the end of time.
The One who was raised from the dead controls the storms of life, and the storms of a troubled heart. Jesus has all resurrection power in His hands to rebuke the storms, lavish us with abounding grace, and bring a blessed calm for our souls.
Rest in Him today.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Matthew 8:23-27
Matthew 28:20
John 15:4-5
