When Jesus Surprises You

Matthew 8:23-27

Jesus was asleep through a storm even though "the ship was covered with waves." Some people can sleep through anything. Don't you just hate those people? (Tongue in cheek here.)

But in all seriousness, the disciples were genuinely fearful for their lives. And Jesus was sleeping.

But I'd like to ask a question here. When the disciples woke Jesus up, they said, "Lord, save us." And yet they were surprised that the winds and seas obeyed Jesus. Which made me wonder.

What had they expected Jesus to do if they hadn't expected Him to be able to control the winds and seas?

It's funny. We often have something in our heads. A solution we think God needs to do to "save us." Rarely does God actually do that.

Sometimes, we can love what He does even as it astounds us. "Wait, you calmed the uncalmable storm? That's so cool! I didn't think You'd do that!"

Other times, we don't like God's solution.

But today, I was just wondering. What had the disciples expected Jesus to do? Start bailing out water? Grab an oar? Pray and wait for the Heavenly Father to intervene?

And what about me? What am I waiting for God to do?

Have I bypassed the solution because it wasn't the one I wanted? Or am I expecting so little of God that I don't even ask for the big rescue?

God is great and all powerful. And He always saves whosoever calls upon Him, even if the method He chooses surprises us a little (or a lot).