On a Windy Day

The Golan Heights is a hilly elevated area measuring 718 square miles, itself dominated by the 9,000 foot tall Mount Hermon – this according to a Wikipedia article. The Golan overlooks the Jordan Rift Valley in which is found the Sea of Galilee. This body of water is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth measuring between 686 and 705 feet below sea level. Anyone living in such a geographical region would be accustomed to winds rushing down from the higher elevations.

It is not a strange thing to read about such a windstorm in Luke 8:22-25. This is the place where Jesus rebuked the wind and wave to amaze his fearful disciples. This is where he asked the convicting question, “Where is your faith?” Here, I will not cover the religious import of the power of Christ over the elements. That may be found in a worthy church sermon.

Here, I wish to focus on details overshadowed by topics for sermons. In this story of the power of the Son of God, there are lesser facts, or details, that paint a clear picture of the physical event. The ship was certainly solid and built well enough to take them across the lake. The lake was large – somewhere in the ballpark of a 33-mile circumference. As to how long the trip from one side to the other might have taken, I have no clue as much would depend on the type of ship and prevalent weather conditions.

Let us look at the wording of the tale. First, is the ambiguity of the timeline. Those who knew the details surrounding Jesus should have been able to place the event more precisely than, “on a certain day”. Then there was the ship – named a ship as opposed to a boat – obviously large enough to carry all of them: at least twelve disciples and one master, but there could have been others, a crew for example. It was not claimed to be a fishing vessel, so perhaps it was a ship made for the transport of people.

Then, there was the “storm of wind” that was described as coming 'down.' It is easy to race past such a small detail, but for me, such wording supports the authenticity of the story, for it shows an accustomed knowledge of the events typical of that geographical setting. Speaking of authenticity, let us look next at the reaction of the disciples to the storm of wind. The story text informs us simply that “they were filled with water.” It tells us nothing of waves or choppy water or the rocking of the ship in a storm.

We are informed, in verse 24, that along with the wind, Jesus also rebuked the “raging of the water.” But, how might the water rage? I can imagine straight line winds driving both water and ship in a single direction. Was the ship facing into the wind? Was the wind pushing against the side of the ship? In straight line circumstances the ship might have one side high and one side at the water line – and of course, the wind would blow sea spray into the ship.

Not much could be done in a sudden storm. Perhaps there was not so much as a bucket with which to bail. They could only watch as the ship filled with water and assume they were about to capsize and sink. Another detail we must consider here is the sleeping Jesus. What does the fact that he had to be awakened suggest? Was he really tired? The transference of virtue can really take the wind out of one's sails. Was he a heavy sleeper? Did he not know he was getting soaked? Within this scenario is the possibility that the ship might have sported an enclosed area, or cabin, in which a passenger might find a bed to sleep in – further indicating a lengthy voyage. Or, did he simply sleep the sleep of faith?

Understandably, the disciples feared for their lives. When they awoke their master, it was not with a request to help bail water from the ship – they were beyond that. Against the roar of wind and wave they simply shouted, “we perish.” Perhaps crew members had already been swept overboard.

I believe that whoever remembered the story, while lacking the specific memory of time and date with which to place it properly, still recounted a true tale, a physical event. Relatively speaking, the event occurred early in the ministry of Christ, and I say that for the reason of raw reaction. Here were disciples who had traveled with Jesus on a daily basis. They witnessed the healings. They witnessed the dead raised. Yet, as they were witness to another of his many miracles, namely the calming of the sea, in their awe, they questioned what kind of man it was they followed.

It seems almost as if they were not quite convinced that Jesus was the Son of God, did not fully believe in him. It was a real and timely point when Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?” So, what about the rest of us? Jesus asks us the same question. Are you convinced? Do you believe? Where is your faith?