HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 7

 

December 7, 2024

Matthew 8:26

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.



The storm must have been fierce. The seasoned fishermen, who thought they knew the waters intimately, were caught off guard. As evening fell, the notorious sharkia winds of Galilee descended, overpowering their boat. Tossed by the waves, the disciples' are filled with fear.

“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (v. 25).

Jesus’ response to his disciples’ fears was immediate: “And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then Jesus stood up and "rebuked" the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” What strikes me about this event is that the disciples were saved not because of their great faith but despite their lack of it. In reality, it was at their most desperate moment that help came. Jesus words, as always, were reliable and more powerful than their worries. Jesus told the wind and the waves to "shut up", (at least that is the meaning of the greek word here) banishing their fears with his authoritative word. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Advent signifies the time when God sent his son, the manger-born king to deliver us from despair, even in our darkest moments. The Word incarnate (John 1:14) arrived at the darkest point of night, when all hope appeared gone: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2).

Jesus casts out the night in and around us, and through God's promise being fulfilled, we are held "in the grip of his grace", we are freed from fear and despair. "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5)

Thanks be to God!