And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save, Lord; we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" Matthew 8:23–27 (RSV)
They knew the water, the winds, and the limits of a boat on a stormy sea. Generations of experience spoke as the winds' howling rose to a shriek. Waves that had been manageable, now rose like mountains pouring into the boat. Men who plied the waters with confidence felt it flee from their hearts as fear took its place.
They were astonished, if not a touch angry, that Jesus was sleeping. Who could sleep when wind and waves were tossing the boat like a cork? Overwhelmed by their fears, they could not imagine Jesus did not share their terror.
Jesus slept amid the raging storm and panicked disciples, for He was at peace in the will and purpose of His Father. The power of the storm was real. It would swamp the boat, drowning many if not all aboard. Jesus slept in the face of such mindless violence, for He knew the will of the Father was greater.
Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, who obeyed the Word who called all things into being. The astonished disciples whose fear is replaced by the wonder of Jesus' authority.
The authority of God the Father will confront an even more frightful foe as Jesus suffers and dies on the Cross. As death takes Jesus into the grave, all creation fearfully waits for the Father's Word. He who called all things into being, by His Word, calls Jesus forth from the grave, leaving the power of sin and death in tatters.
We sing the hymn, 'All Praise to Thee, My God This Night, which confesses: "Teach me to live, that I may dread the grave as little as my bed. Teach me to die, that so I may Rise glorious at the awesome day."
Yes, Lord, teach us to live without fear, so we might fall asleep in you until you call us to life again on that great day.