One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” Luke 8:22 (NIV)
Consider the situation that led Jesus to ask the marvelous question: “Where is your faith?” The disciples were in a boat crossing the lake of Galilee, when they ran into a storm.
Can you imagine what the disciples were thinking: Who got us into this mess? Who suggested getting into this boat? Whose idea was it that we cross this lake? Luke tells us quite clearly who got them into this mess: It was Jesus!
So crossing the lake was Jesus’ idea, and the way the disciples responded to Him is a wonderful model of obedience: “So they got into a boat and set out” (8:22).
You can’t get better responsiveness to Jesus than that. Jesus said, “Launch out!” And they launched out. This is a wonderful example of disciples walking in step with the Master, and Jesus led them right into a storm.
This is the opposite of the story of Jonah. God called the prophet Jonah to go to Nineveh. But Jonah didn’t want to go, so he got on a ship going the opposite direction and sailed right into a storm. Disobeying Christ can lead you into a storm, but so can following Christ!
Anyone who has set out to achieve something significant for Jesus knows this. Anyone who stands up for the name and the cause of Jesus in the public square will quickly find that it is true.
Any student who sets his mind and heart on holiness, any businessman who sets his heart on integrity, any pastor or missionary who dedicates himself to the Scriptures, any Christian who says, “I am not content to simply listen to Jesus’ teaching, I am serious about a life that puts this into practice” will soon discover that Jesus leads his people into some pretty big storms.
Do you tend to doubt Jesus when He leads you into a storm? Why?
