And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:23-27 cf. Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)

Storms on the Sea of Galilee are nothing unusual. The Sea of Galilee is small; it is only thirteen miles from north to south and eight miles from east to west. It is 680 feet below sea level.  On the west side there are hills with valleys and gullies; and, when a cold wind comes from the west, these valleys and gullies act like gigantic funnels. The wind becomes compressed between these valleys and gullies and rushes on the lake with sudden and extreme violence. What started as a gentle ride on still waters can suddenly and unexpectedly become a raging storm.

The word used to describe the storm is seismos, which means a gale or an earthquake. This was no small storm, and the disciples were understandably afraid. In their fear they turned to Jesus. However, they turned in panic and anger rather than faith.

Having dealt with the storm, Jesus next called them out for their lack of faith. But we counter, Jesus was asleep! Even asleep the God-human is still God. God was present in the storm in the person of Jesus, who with a simple word calmed the storm and returned tranquility to the lake and to their lives.

Scottish theologian William Barclay remarks that if calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee was the whole point of the story that would in itself be worth telling. However, Barclay offers a deeper meaning to this narrative:

“But the meaning of this story is far greater than that–the meaning of this story is not that Jesus stopped a storm in Galilee; the meaning is that wherever Jesus is the storms of life become a calm. It means that in the presence of Jesus the most terrible of tempests turns to peace”.

When the storms of bereavement, broken promises, failed relationships, and devastating illness overtake us, it is then we are most in need of peace.

We live in a chaotic and turbulent society. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the current political climate in which we live. We demonize one another based on political ideology, rather than respecting one another as the children of God.

In just a few days Americans will cast their votes in the midterm elections. It is virtually impossible to turn on the television or radio without hearing one candidate verbally brutalizing another. Politics has always carried the stain of negative advertising, but there is ruthlessness in the current climate that goes beyond mere mudslinging and into the hearts and motivations of people. We are willing to sacrifice our values and sense of self-worth to gain political advantage.

Ultimately there is no peace in our lives and in our nation. Jesus is not asleep in the stern of the boat; Jesus is rather waiting for those who profess the name of Christ to call on the God-human to restore healthy relationships among people.

Part of the fracturedness that currently predominates American society is the polarization that we have allowed to permeate and control our lives and political commitments based on loyalty to a political party rather than looking at a candidate’s credentials. We will vote red or blue regardless of the individual’s worthiness for the office.

We cannot experience personal or corporate peace without allowing the life of Christ to influence and direct all aspects of our life. It is little wonder that we are experiencing grievous storms in our national life. We continue to proclaim “one nation under God” when nothing could be further from the truth. We are “one nation ignoring God.”

As the storms of life surround you and you look for peace in the midst chaos these words from Isaiah may bring you comfort.

For the mountains may depart

and the hills be removed,

but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,

and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,

says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Steadfast love translates the Hebrew word ḥeseḏ which may be translated kindness or mercy. Peace translates shalom, which means the deep internal peace that comes from healthy relationships with God and our fellow humans. Compassion comes from the Hebrew râḥam; which means to love, to have compassion on.

Learning the gift of peace in the storm, practicing mercy, love, and compassion has the potential to transform our lives, our homes, our churches, and our national conversation.