Waiting Into the Deep End, Part 1 of 2

Jesus had presented Himself to Israel. But, opposition from the religious leaders was now hardened, His crucifixion a fait accompli. So Jesus focused on the training of the twelve – so much to learn, so little time. More than once, Jesus used the Sea of Galilee as the classroom for His course on discipleship. Accounts of one such teaching session are provided by Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Matthew 8:18, 23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25). Let’s audit His class.

A crowd had gathered around the Lord near the Sea of Galilee. As evening neared, Jesus announced His intention to travel to the other side of the lake and gave orders for His disciples to depart. Some in His crew were master fishermen and more than competent to handle their vessel. The Master promptly settled into a sound sleep on a cushion in the stern.

Once in the deep, a “sea-quake” unleashed fierce winds and great angry waves that crashed over the gunwales. At first, the disciples might have taken measures to ride it out. But things quickly went from bad to worse. Experts are the ones who know when to panic. The experts on this boat knew it was time! Their vessel was rapidly taking on water. Without an immediate miracle, the ship and crew would most certainly be lost.

As a last resort, the disciples roused their Teacher, still fast asleep amidst the chaos. Unchecked fear drove them to shout above the storm. The accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke each capture a different fragment of what they yelled:

Matthew: “Save us, Lord, we are perishing!”

Mark: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?

Luke: “Master, Master, we are perishing!”

The common denominator in all three accounts is the declaration, “We are perishing.” Matthew adds the terse command, “Save us, Lord.” Mark addresses Jesus as “Teacher” and includes the question, “Do You not care?” Luke adds the double address, “Master, Master.”

It is easy for preachers dwelling in safety to berate the disciples for all manner of perceived failures as they braced for death. I find much to commend! First, they address Jesus as “Lord,” “Teacher” and “Master.” Obviously, they respect Him and are voicing their dependance on Him for guidance. Second, when someone has expertise in an area, like the fishermen, it is easy to keep thinking in a crisis, “I can fix this.” But the disciples prove capable of recognizing a situation in which they are in over their heads, despite their competence. They can admit they have a problem that is beyond them. Third, their pleas for help are deadly earnest, the very kind of asking, seeking, and knocking that Jesus elsewhere encourages His disciples to bring to Father. Fourth, their request, “save us,” possibly suggests a modicum of belief, if not at least hope, that Jesus can indeed do something about their plight. These are all commendable responses.

But in one particular, their words gives rise for concern. The question – “Do You not care?” – expresses doubt. The disciples are sure that they are perishing but unsure whether this matters to the Lord. Theirs is a crisis of trust in Jesus!

The disciples’ doubt is familiar to all who are waiting on the Lord in a crisis. In an impossible situation and desperate for a miracle, it is easy to wonder if the Lord cares. Our minds fixate on questions like these: Why don't You act? Where are You in this? Have I done something to disappoint You? Am I getting the silent treatment? God, does my plight even matter to You?

This incident on the Sea of Galilee presents a classic case of “waiting into the deep end.” Any acute and escalating crisis that threatens to deal us a crushing blow would qualify. When taking on water and at imminent risk of going under, asking God – “Do You not care?” – will seem a perfectly reasonable question. It is NOT, but it will seem so. Whoever waits into the deep must be prepared, indeed, he must anticipate the inexorable pull of the very reasonable lie embedded in these words, “Do You not care?”