The Lord of The Storms

In the Gospels, after the Feeding of the 5000, Jesus set the disciples in a boat and sent them on a journey across the northern portion of the Sea of Galilee. He would join up with them later. Almost immediately, the skies darkened and the wind whipped the sea into a boisterous, dangerous storm. Their trouble began at nightfall and by 3 am the disciples were still “a considerable distance from land” (Matthew 14:24) fighting the waves threatening to capsize the fishing boat. They were already exhausted and afraid, but then when Jesus came along, walking on the water, they were frightened by Him. They thought it was a ghost! It is funny, the mind sometimes plays tricks on you when it is dark and the darkness, of course, can magnify your fears.

Jesus came walking up to them and spoke to them at once with words of assurance: “Take courage! I am! Don’t be afraid!” (Matthew 14:27). Jesus gave them these two words of instruction: “Take courage” and “Don’t be afraid.” However, the reason they could obey the commands of Jesus is in the two words in the middle: “I am.”

We have heard the two words before… When Moses stood nervously before a burning bush, he asked God, “Who are you?” God answered, “I am (who) I am.” Which is to say, “I am the Great I am.” These are the same two words Jesus used repeatedly to help us grasp His identity:

“I am the bread of life” (John 6:48).                                              
“I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12).                              
“Before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58).                            
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved” (John
10:9).                
“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11).                                          
“I am God’s Son” (John 10:36).                                                            
“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).                          
“I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).                  
“I am the true vine” (John 15:1).

Jesus is the Great I am!

The construction of this storm passage illustrates and emphasizes the point. The story in Matthew 14:22-33 is two parts. The first part describes Jesus’ powerful walk on the water (v. 22-27). The second part describes Peter’s failed walk of faith on the water (v. 28-33). So two parts: each 6 verses long and each set of 6 verses have 90 Greek words. Moreover, right in between the two parts, the two sets of verses, and 180 words is the 2-word declaration: “I am.”

This is the heart of this story—the middle of it—and it serves to illustrate that your Savior is in the middle of the storm with you. No matter what you are going through, your Savior is in the midst of it with you! Further, the best news is that He who is in it with you is THE GREAT I AM! Therefore, beloved child of God, know this: Whatever threatens to be over your head, is under His feet! He is Lord of the storms! Find comfort and strength in these words of your Savior in scripture.

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron