Christ In the Storm

A few years ago I was introduced to the Henri Nouwen book, The Return Of the Prodigal Son. The book was a wonderful study of the scriptural story of the prodigal son, his father and brother, and some great applications to our lives. I was so struck by the cover art, also titled Return Of the Prodigal Son, by Rembrandt, that I purchased a print, had it framed and hung it in my office. I have re-read the book many times.

Yesterday I downloaded an iPad app titled Rembrandt Paintings. On the cover was a painting that captured me just like The Return Of the Prodigal Son had several years ago. It depicts the terror of the disciples as some of them try and get the boat under control. It also shows the moment that other disciples wake Christ up from a nap and say to Him, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" (Matthew 8:24-25) From the punctuation marks, you can tell this was not a soft and gentle wake-up conversation. I suspect they woke Christ up with their yelling for Him to save them. In verse 26, Matthew records,  He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" 


I suppose this painting made such an impact on me because right now I could be one of those disciples yelling "Lord, save me! I'm going to drown!" The answer, however, is in verse 28, When he (they) arrived at the other side... For you, the wind may be howling, the waves may be crashing, and the situation may seem totally out of your control. The same Christ that calmed the sea in Matthew's account, is the same Christ who will see you to the other side. Let's meet up there and compare notes.