Title: The Unsinkable Ship / Luke 8:22-25
Content: A ship that cannot be sunk
Since maritime accidents are directly related to human life, when building a ship, it is designed and built to be as strong as possible so that it will not sink even if it is stranded, and to be as safe as possible so that it does not capsize even if it encounters any kind of storm. Not long ago, there was an incident where the huge oil tanker Sea Prince ran aground off the southern coast. It happened because he could not avoid the typhoon. The British passenger ship Titanic, which made its maiden voyage under the confident slogan that it would never sink, also sank. However, the text introduces a small fishing boat that did not sink even though it had no choice but to sink in a strong storm, which draws our attention. Let's look at the reason and share the grace.
First, the ship the disciples were on was met with a storm (verse 23).
One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples to go across the Sea of Galilee. The boat on which Jesus and his disciples were boarded went forward smoothly toward their destination. If Jesus was so tired that he slept in the back of the boat, it would have been at least 30-40 minutes. Suddenly the weather changed and a strong wind started blowing over the lake. A big wave followed, and the boat quickly filled with water. According to John 21:2-3, it is believed that at least seven of the disciples were of fisherman origin. They did their best to rectify the situation. However, their long experience did not help to rectify the situation. they became urgent. I felt the fear of death. It was then that I thought of Jesus and woke him up and asked for help. "Lord, Lord, we are going to die."
Second, Jesus rescued the ship from the brink of sinking (verse 24).
There is a saying that it is the path of life. Life can be compared to sailing on a ship. At first glance, a boat seems to go anywhere as long as there is water, but it is not. Although it is not visible from the outside, there is a separate waterway (sea route) that can be navigated by ships. reef under water
It is a safe way to pass without fear of being stranded. If a person is careful and follows this path, his life can be on a safe voyage. God's Word shows us a safe path to life. But if we don't follow it because it bothers us, suddenly our lives will be stranded and sinking.
And just because a ship follows the course doesn't guarantee a safe voyage. Another important factor in sailing is wind. You don't always encounter a tailwind that helps sail. You never know when an unexpected storm will strike. In the same way, no one knows when or what kind of hardships and crises will come like a storm in our lives. The experience of Jesus' disciples is a good example.
As we go through life, we come across many things that we cannot solve on our own. The disciples of Jesus did their best to get out of suffering and crisis. But they couldn't. Their ship had no choice but to sink. As a result, the ship did not sink. Why? Because Jesus was in the boat with them. He rebuked and calmed the madness. And you have reached your destination with the disciples. Do you have the same power of the Lord in your life?
“Those who sail ships into the sea and do business in the great waters stand in the sea, the works of the Lord and his wonders; and the Lord has commanded them, and a storm arises, causing the waves of the sea. Their soul melts because of them. They roll to and fro, and stagger like drunkards, and their understanding is confused. Then in their distress they cried out to the LORD, and he delivered them from their afflictions, and calmed the storm, and calmed the waves. In their rejoicing over their serenity, the LORD leads them to the abode of their desires. Praise be to the LORD for his kindness and for his marvelous works he has done to mankind. You will praise me from your seat."
(Psalm 107:23-32)
Third, Jesus rebuked his disciples (verse 25).
After Jesus cleared the situation, he rebuked the fearful disciples. “Where is your faith?” (verse 25) “Why are you so afraid? Why do you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) “I am with you, so why do you not believe me?” “What are you afraid of when I am with you?” The question is, "Why do you say it late because you didn't say it earlier?" This rebuke is also directed at us. Because we, too, act the same as Jesus' disciples.
In these words, we realize what kind of faith Jesus expected from His disciples. He wants you to have fearless faith, confident that He is with you no matter the extreme. The clever rabbit in Aesop's fable is not afraid of any beast as long as the lion, the king of beasts, is behind him. However, he is rebuking Christians who say that they have accepted the Lord, the Creator, Almighty God, and King of kings, who is trembling in fear.
Please don't get me wrong about Jesus having a hard sleep. When you were in the flesh, you took a human limit yourself, so you were tired from excessive work and needed to sleep for a while, but you never need to sleep after you receive the body of the resurrection.
“The Lord will not cause you to stumble, and the one who keeps you will not sleep. The one who keeps Israel will neither sleep nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3-4).
Even born-again Christians who have faith in the Lord, He rebukes them for lack of faith. How much more would you deal with unbelievers who have no faith at all?
“The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it is given to us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17-18)