This is a pretty common piece of scripture, but basically Jesus has been preaching on a boat, and now he says "Let's cross to the other side of the lake". What I find interesting is that the scripture doesn't say why Jesus wanted to cross to the other side of the lake, but we get an idea of why by the end of the account. Maybe it was because Jesus knew that there was work to be done on the other side, but it could also of been because he wanted to test the faith of his disciples. Or it could of been because he was just tired, and needed a nap.
Either way, we have a storm that brews up, the disciples wake up Jesus because they're terrified, and Jesus calms the storm, while saying "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
The disciples experienced miracles .. miracles of healing, driving out demons from people etc. But this was the first time that they experienced a miracle that controls the PHYSICAL world. They thought they knew who Jesus was, a good teacher, a good man, miracle worker, but they're eyes were beginning to open to see Jesus as who he is. Yes this was a test of faith, but this was also an eye-opener for them.
We need to reflect on who Christ is. In this short account we see Christ as fully man (needing to take a nap), and fully God (calming a storm with 3words 'Silence! Be Still'). Reflect on what that means for us... God fully human took on the cross, and fully God he took away our sins. All at the same time. His disciples were starting to get it by the end of the passage, but how about us?
The disciples were terrified at what they saw Jesus do, and today we have people that are scared of what becoming a follow of Christ would mean. Sometimes I think that the Bible should have a warning label on it ... "Warning: The truth enclosed may change your life". Expect things to happen to your life when you ask the God of creation, the God of everything seen and unseen to take hold of you, and use you.
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