The Sea of Galilee was furious. The wind was strong and the boat was dancing on the waves. And Jesus was sleeping in the stern as if nothing was happening until they awoke him. Saying Lord, save us: we perish”.

He opened his eyes and responded softly: Why are you fearful, men of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

It’s odd. Why was Jesus sleeping in a difficult moment like that? And if he had the power to calm the sea; why he did not do it before, saving the disciple of the panic?

Simply because he wanted to teach the disciples an objective lesson. It’s in the tempest that a man becomes a mariner. A mariner should not only have the body but also the souls hardened by the nature of the sea. Nobody becomes strong without fighting. Jesus Christ let all that scenario of violence and fear happen so the disciple would feel a natural fear of sinking. Nobody wants to die.

They were brave; they fear the death because you can’t play with the sea. But fear is not always bad. Without it, man wouldn’t prevent the danger. Fear acts as an instinct of safeness. Like a seat belt. But to overcome difficulties we need more than fear. We need faith and security. There is no fear where faith exists: “Why are you fearful, men of little faith? A furious sea was needed so the disciples would forget about themselves and trust in Jesus.

Jesus was in the boat, sleeping. Sleeping? No. God never sleeps, even when it seams that he is sleeping. He is in the boat with you.

Pr. Rubens Lopes