22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. Luke 8:22 (NAS)

Luke 8:22-25

We’ve all experienced “one of those days.” You don’t know when they’ll come but you quickly want them to go when you realize you’re having one. It started simply enough. The Master wished to go to the other side of the lake, so leaving behind the crowd, he and his disciples climbed into a boat and launched.

The fishermen in the group were aware of what could happen even on the calmest day on the Sea of Galilee. Since the lake was 690 feet below sea level and was rimmed by hills and towering Mount Hermon, fierce winds could quickly descend upon the waters and the sea would become instantly angry. This would be “one of those days.”

Now the Master, physically exhausted by unceasing demands on his time, was asleep in the stern on a pillow while conditions on the water dramatically worsened to the point that the boat was taking on water. Psychologically, there’s probably nothing more frightening to see than raging seas all about. The fear of perishing in those conditions was very real. The fishermen knew well what they were up against and were probably the first to rouse Jesus. In his mind of course there was no problem. He was as calm as the water would soon be. He set out to go to the other side of the lake and he’d get there “come hell or high water.”

But it was going to be one of those days when his men would learn an important lesson. When you’re in the boat with Jesus, you’re safe regardless the odds against you. You should always expect to be bailed out in one way or another! In this teaching moment, knowing their frailty, he simply asked, “where is your faith?” They had witnessed his power over death and demons, and now the weather.

Years later, Peter under heavy guard was asleep as he hung from his chains in prison awaiting his execution the next day. (Acts 12:6) He’d learned his lesson well. It didn’t hurt to have briefly walked on water only to be pulled to safety by the righteous right hand of the Master of the Universe. (Matthew 14:28-32)

The catchy phrase in the credit card commercial is “what’s in your wallet.” With Jesus it’s always “where’s your faith?”