Be Still

He spoke to them in parables all day before setting out to sea. Those of his disciples who were fishermen by trade manned the helm while he lay down for a much needed rest.

I'll bet those seafaring men had a special place in their heart for Psalm 107, the one with a verse about guys just like them. I imagine they had sung it many times over the years while they hauled in their catch or mended their nets:

Some went down to the sea in ships,

doing business on the great waters;

they saw the deeds of the LORD,

his wondrous works in the deep.

For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,

which lifted up the waves of the sea.

They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;

their courage melted away in their evil plight;

they reeled and staggered like drunken men

and were at their wits’ end.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He made the storm be still,

and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,

and he brought them to their desired haven.

And while Jesus napped they saw the deeds of the LORD, for he commanded and raised the stormy wind. And while Jesus napped their courage melted. They reeled and staggered, and when they were at their wits end they cried to Jesus. "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mk. 4.39)

The storm was still. The waves of the sea hushed. "And he said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'"

They went from fear to fear as the psalm unfolded before their eyes. Only Yahweh had command of the seas. Jesus looked at them. Do you recognize me? "Have you still no faith?"