Napping on a Boat
Sep 10, 2024 by Addison Crissone
The storm was a fierce one.
The waves tossed, and the wind howled.
the thunder clapped and the rain poured.
The boat was ready to capsize.
The disciples were afraid. They feared for their lives.
Where was Jesus?
Asleep.
Luke chapter 8, verses 22-25, tells us that He was napping on the boat's hull when the disciples found Him.
They couldn't believe it. How could He sleep at a time like this, when they were at the mercy of the churning waters and would most likely drown by morning?
How can he sleep on a boat that is nearly sinking?
"Master, Master, we are perishing!" they cried to Him (8:24)
He sat up sleepily, though not unaware of their turmoil.
"What are you doing, Rabbi?" I could imagine Peter asking, "We are about to die, and you sleep!"
Jesus would have sighed softly, shaking his head at their unnecessary distress and foolish disbelief.
"Why are you afraid?" He whispers as he stands, His eyes gentle as he gazes at the doubtful group of men. "I am here, and yet you do not trust me."
With a steady calm about HIm, He rebuked the wind and the waves.
And with the audacious command of His voice, the winds ceased and the waves became calm as the rain slowed to reveal a quiet and serene night.
He turned and looked at each disciple, from John to Judas, and asked,
"Where is your faith?" (v. 25)
This is the same question He asks me and you when we let the circumstances of our lives overwhelm us and we let all our worries get to us.
Why was Jesus napping on the boat?
Well, the answer is simple.
Because He wasn't worried.
He knew that no matter what awaited Him, His father was already there. He knew that God held Him and His disciples, even within the boat tossed by waves.
Let us remember that though Jesus is the son of God, he was still fully human, with human worries and very human problems. He faced as much a risk of death as His disciples. He experienced the shame overwhelming and stressful lives that we od today.
And yet amid a storm, He wasn't worried.
His relaxed attitude was the result of His trust in the Father.
He trusted God enough to take a nap on a boat.
He didn't worry about a thing.
And neither should we.
We should be so trusting in our heavenly Father that we are relaxed and calm no matter the life situations we are in. We should be able to take a nap on a boat even when the storm is raging around us.
Why?
Because we know and trust that God has us in His hand, no matter what.
So my friends, don't worry.
Have faith and take a nap on a boat.
The waves tossed, and the wind howled.
the thunder clapped and the rain poured.
The boat was ready to capsize.
The disciples were afraid. They feared for their lives.
Where was Jesus?
Asleep.
Luke chapter 8, verses 22-25, tells us that He was napping on the boat's hull when the disciples found Him.
They couldn't believe it. How could He sleep at a time like this, when they were at the mercy of the churning waters and would most likely drown by morning?
How can he sleep on a boat that is nearly sinking?
"Master, Master, we are perishing!" they cried to Him (8:24)
He sat up sleepily, though not unaware of their turmoil.
"What are you doing, Rabbi?" I could imagine Peter asking, "We are about to die, and you sleep!"
Jesus would have sighed softly, shaking his head at their unnecessary distress and foolish disbelief.
"Why are you afraid?" He whispers as he stands, His eyes gentle as he gazes at the doubtful group of men. "I am here, and yet you do not trust me."
With a steady calm about HIm, He rebuked the wind and the waves.
And with the audacious command of His voice, the winds ceased and the waves became calm as the rain slowed to reveal a quiet and serene night.
He turned and looked at each disciple, from John to Judas, and asked,
"Where is your faith?" (v. 25)
This is the same question He asks me and you when we let the circumstances of our lives overwhelm us and we let all our worries get to us.
Why was Jesus napping on the boat?
Well, the answer is simple.
Because He wasn't worried.
He knew that no matter what awaited Him, His father was already there. He knew that God held Him and His disciples, even within the boat tossed by waves.
Let us remember that though Jesus is the son of God, he was still fully human, with human worries and very human problems. He faced as much a risk of death as His disciples. He experienced the shame overwhelming and stressful lives that we od today.
And yet amid a storm, He wasn't worried.
His relaxed attitude was the result of His trust in the Father.
He trusted God enough to take a nap on a boat.
He didn't worry about a thing.
And neither should we.
We should be so trusting in our heavenly Father that we are relaxed and calm no matter the life situations we are in. We should be able to take a nap on a boat even when the storm is raging around us.
Why?
Because we know and trust that God has us in His hand, no matter what.
So my friends, don't worry.
Have faith and take a nap on a boat.
