The Life of Christ

• In the stern of the ship, on the low bench where the steersman sometimes rested, Jesus lay sound asleep.

• After a full day’s teaching He was tired and most likely hungry; no wonder He fell asleep so easily!

Lk. 8:22-23 Now it came about on one of those days, that He and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended upon the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

Why was there such weather on the Sea of Galilee?

• Such storms result from differences in temperatures between the seacoast and the surrounding mountains. The Sea of Galilee lies 680 feet below sea level. It is surrounded by hills, especially on the east side where they reach up to 2000 feet high. These heights are a source of cool, dry air. • In contrast, directly around the sea, the climate is semi-tropical with warm, moist air. The large difference in height between surrounding land and the sea causes large temperature and pressure changes. These result in strong winds dropping to the sea, funneling through the hills. • The Sea of Galilee is small (13 miles long, 5 miles wide), and these winds may descend directly to the center of the lake with violent results. When the contrasting air masses meet, a storm can arise quickly and without warning. Small boats caught out on the sea are in eminent danger.

• The Sea of Galilee is relatively shallow, just 200 feet at its greatest depth. A shallow lake is “whipped up” by wind more rapidly than deep waters, where energy is more readily absorbed.

Jesus knew of the coming storm.

• He knew the boat would be overtaken, but for now that wasn’t His concern.

• What did concern Him was finding a place to lie down and sleep.

During our moment of personal crisis, it can sometimes feel like Jesus has gone to sleep on us.

• However, Ps. 121:3 promises, “He who keeps you will not slumber.”

• This was no ordinary storm; the boat filled quickly with water, putting them in serious jeopardy.

• If the wind is blowing at 28-33 knots (near gale-force), the waves will generally be about 14 feet high.

• If the wind is blowing at 34-40 knots, the waves will generally be 18 feet high.

Lk. 8:24 And they came to Him and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.

If they had truly believed Jesus was the Son of God, they would have had enough sense to know the Father would not let the boat sink with Jesus aboard.

• Jesus was never called to “drown for our sins!”

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