“Suddenly a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.”
— Matthew 8:24

Since their name in Greek means “students,” the disciples spent time with Jesus learning from Him. If you will, they had been enrolled in the school of Christ. But they were slow learners. One time when they were on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples were overwhelmed by a sudden storm. Jesus was asleep. Matthew 8 tells us: “His disciples went to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ He replied, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’”(Matthew 8:25-26a). He solved that problem instantly by rebuking the wind and the waves, which obeyed Him.

The disciples had been through Storms 101. But it was in the daytime, then, when they went out to sea, and Jesus was with them. Being weary, He was asleep in the stern when a great storm arose. But now in this more advanced class (Storms 201) Jesus was absent, and it was darkest night. They indeed were filled with distress—and well might they be.

But Mark would have us understand that Jesus, though high in a mountain miles away, was praying for them, as the Great Intercessor. He was watching them in the midst of the lake in their distress in rowing.

They had already been through Storms 101, as described above, and they didn’t do well. In fact, they came close to flunking altogether. At best they might have gotten a C minus. How are you doing in the School of Christ’s Discipleship? He has proven that we can trust Him in all things.

Jesus Christ, Lord even of the storms, pilot me over the tempestuous seas of life. Though the waves roll and there are treacherous rocks below, Jesus Savior, pilot me…

BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE MAKE IT
THROUGH THE STORMS OF LIFE.