The story of Jesus and his disciples being tossed by the waves in the Sea of Galilee is often taken as symbolizing the Christian community being threatened by dangers and persecution in a hostile world. The incident recalls the panic of the Israelites facing the Yam Suf (Red Sea) with the Egyptians in hot pursuit at their back (Ex 14:10-14), and the story of Jonah on board a ship buffeted by a storm (Jon 1:5). But with the disciples in the boat is one who is “greater than Jonah” (Mt 12:41).

Demonstrating his power over the waves in answer to the disciples’ plea for deliverance, Jesus shows that he has control over the perils of nature and over evil forces in the world. He is not only the disciples’ Rabbi (Teacher); he is “Lord” (Kyrios) adored and worshipped in the evangelist’s time by Jews and Gentiles alike.

Jesus is “Immanuel”— God-with-us—who remains with us “until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). Let us pray to the Lord to increase our “little faith” whenever we are threatened by adverse natural or spiritual forces.

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”