The Sea of Galilee provides the location for two of the most famous stories in the Bible. The first involves Jesus asleep in a boat, unaware of a frightening storm that scares even the experienced fishermen on board. The second features Jesus walking on the waters towards the disciples in a boat and Peter’s extraordinary faith as he gets out and walks towards him. Understandably, both of these events raise questions about Jesus’ identity – could this really be the Son of God?
During a drought in 1986, the receding waters of the Sea of Galilee gave up a long-held secret: a fishing boat from the time of Jesus. Allowing for four rowers and a sailing mast, the boat is the kind of vessel the fishermen among Jesus’ disciples would have used. No wonder it is known not just as the ‘Galilee boat’ but as the ‘Jesus boat’.
Surrounded by hills and mountains, the Sea of Galilee – actually a freshwater lake – is known for its unpredictable weather. Cool mountain air mixing with warm air above the lake can produce sudden storms, just as the Gospels tell us.
Jesus’ disciples knew that, when God created the world, his word had turned chaos into order. Only God could control nature. So, when they witnessed the storm and the waves obeying the word of Jesus, their question ‘Who is this man?’ makes perfect sense: could he be God’s son?
'Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face' boxer Mike Tyson famously said. You might be in a season of life where what used to look so sturdy and reliable has come crashing down and now you have no plan.
Matthew wants to give us a plan: Jesus. Because if we grasp who really is out on the waters with us, we needn't doubt even when the waters are filling the boat of our life. The bigger your anchor, the greater your confidence. And have you seen the size of our anchor?
God’s word, in the beginning, brought order out of chaos. As the wind and the waves obey him, Jesus signals a new beginning. Only God could do this. Jesus is God with skin and flesh. We will not drown because he is with us, ending the chaos and extending his hand to save us.
Read on, to find out more about taking risks for God and trusting him
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What is the Bible and how is it relevant to me? This book is the perfect read for anyone asking those questions in the 21st century. The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life helps readers see how the narratives and themes of the Bible connect to their own lives.