Not just any little boat but one whose story is so important, it is repeated in the first three Gospels. Because there is a fuller description given in Mark's account, it is quoted here:
"On the same day when evening had come, Jesus said to the disciples, 'Let us cross over to the other side.'" Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, "Who can this be that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" Mark 4:35-41
At this juncture in Jesus' ministry, the disciples had seen Him do miracles and listened to His discourses, how strange that they should pose the question, "Who can this be?" The veritable Son of God, that's Who! Why was it so difficult for them to believe and have faith? They had walked with Him, and talked with Him and still did not know for sure Who He was. But before we become too critical, perhaps we could profitably look inward at ourselves. We have a Bible full of proof of God's sending His Son to earth, of His walking among us, dying on the cross for us, and yet many of us are not sure Who He is, not sure enough, at least, to believe and obey His commands and walk with Him through this life.
Once Jesus met some blind men seeking sight: "Then touched He their eyes saying, according to your faith be it unto you." Matt.9:29 And to a woman supplicant, "Daughter be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole." Matt 9:22 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1
Do you suppose that if the disciples had not panicked and remained calm and full of faith, they would not have needed to wake Jesus? That the little boat was safe because the Master of ocean, earth and sky was aboard, and they could have remained at peace with full faith that they would be saved from catastrophe? Is this the kind of peace that passes understanding, based on full faith that cannot fail?
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