That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41

 

This year, we did not have storms like this one, with Jesus and his disciples on the Sea of Galilee. Yet, personally, people have weathered many a storm in their lives. So many people suffer in different ways, and it is like being caught in a storm with no end in sight.

The disciples were caught in a furious squall that was about to swamp their boat. It was very real. And they were afraid. As real as the danger was, they had no reason to fear. Jesus was there. And there he stands, speaking his command, “Quiet! Be still!” And the Lord of all, the one to whom the wind and the waves obey is in control.

It has been a little more than a year since my son Obi left us and went to heaven. And even though it seems like I am still caught in an unending storm of grief, I know there is and will be the quiet time after the storm. I know this because our Lord Jesus Christ not only showed his power over wind and waves, but he showed his power over sin and death. He hung on the cross to pay for sin, so that I could believe and know that I am forgiven. And even greater, envision him standing over the greatest of all storms, there he stands at the empty tomb, with sin and death in hand. He rose victorious over the dead. His victory is our victory. Because he lives, we live. This is the calm after the storm, no matter what storm you are weathering right now. Jesus is still the Lord. Jesus is still in control. There is no reason for fear.

To a church family who showed great support to my family and me during Obi’s battle with cancer, I would like to share with you the comfort that God’s Word gives through trial and tribulation. Please join me on this journey as the Lord takes us to that place of peace, “After the Storm.” Come and see Cross to Glory (Pastor Christenson and company) on November 22nd at 4pm at the La Crescent Fine Arts Auditorium for the “After the Storm” concert.

 

Keep Christ First!

Pastor Chris Christenson