Bible Briefs

J O H N   W.   M O O R E WORDS TO CALM LIFE'S STORMS A large bronze sculpture of Jesus standing on a fishing boat with arms outstretched toward the bay front beautifully adorns the well-known shoreline drive of Corpus Christi, Texas. The sculpture is a depiction of Jesus calming the storms on the Sea of Galilee some 2000 years ago as told by Matthew the Apostle in Matthew 8:23-27. It is an impressive sculpture that serves to remind the passerby of the power and authority of Jesus. Not only could Jesus heal the sick, He could also calm the storms. With the power of His words, “Peace, be still”, the winds ceased and the storm subsided. Some 2000 years later, countless disciples of our modern era can recount as well their own stories of Jesus calming the storms of personal tragedy and sorrow. Like the waves of a fierce storm, the cruel realities of death, illness, heartbreak, hardship, and financial ruin have often threatened to sink our boat of faith. Even in the midst of these storms, we, like the apostles, often ask of the Lord, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” It was then that we remembered the powerful words of Jesus: “Why are you so fearful?…Peace, be still.” Indeed, the inner turmoil of strife and worry is calmed when we consider the essence of the Lord’s existence, what He has been able to do, and what He has always promised. Hope and a peace that passes all understanding were restored when we recalled our faith in Jesus. His words, like nothing else, calmed our spirits and renewed our zeal. They were truly the rebuttal to a tumultuous world and the breaker of an enormous wave. What about you? Have you embraced the power of His word in your own life (John 6:63; 15:3)? Have you experienced for yourself the tranquility and peace of His abiding presence (Matthew 28:19-20)? Come hear again Jesus’ words that can calm your life’s storms every Sunday at the Dripping Springs church of Christ.