Introduction: Jesus had spent the day teaching and healing at the Sea of Galilee. Late in the afternoon, he said to his disciples in the boat with him, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.” He then proceeded to fall asleep in the back of the boat. Here is what I think happened next. (Ruah, by the way, is the Hebrew word for breath or wind. I have personified it here in the same way that we might call a storm Harvey or Irma.)
Wind Talker
From his perch on the mountain peak, Ruah looked out. Then he roared. His breath surged down the canyons and blew across the surface of the sea.
Trees fell. Dust flew. Wind howled.“Who dares cross me without asking my permission?” said He.
Seas swelled, waves crashed and seamen screamed, As their tiny boat was tossed like a cork in an angry caldron.
Some men prayed, others puked, still others pulled vainly on tattered ropes and sails.
All the while, one man slept. Unperturbed, unafraid, at ease in slumber while elemental forces raged all around Him.
“Who is it who sleeps?” said soaked sailors to one another. “Does he not care that Death shall swallow us whole?”
“Sleeper! Awake from your repose! Cry with us to the gods for mercy. Leave us not alone in the dead of night. Awake that we may perish together!”
Dream Maker opened his eyes to see twelve men whose hearts heaved with helpless fear, hopeless despair, angry anguish.
Looking skyward he said, “Lord of the Lake, what upsets you? It is I, do you not recognize me? We pass in peace. Calm down.
Then the winds ceased. The sea settled. All became quiet as the glow of dawn slowly appeared over the hills.
But twelve speechless men stood stunned. Faces white with fear and awe, knocking knees, trembling hands.
Who is it who talks to wicked winds and surging seas? Who is it who commands the breath of chaos, and it obeys? In his presence are we safe?
Who is safe with one who dangles death like keys on a chain? Who is safe with one who talks to the wind? Who is safe?
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