Questions, Questions
Have you ever played the party game, Questions Only? It can be a lot of fun though I warn you it’s not as easy as it first sounds. The object of the game is to carry on a conversation using only questions for as long as you can. The conversation has to make sense (i.e. no random questions), and when you mess up, you’re out of the game. The last person standing is the winner. Here’s a quick example of the game:
Person 1: “Do you think it will rain today?”
Person 2: “Does it look like rain to you?”
Person 1: “Did you bring your umbrella?”
Person 2: “What does this look like?”
Person 1: “Would you believe me if I said it looked like a giant ice cream cone?”
Person 2 (laughing uncontrollably): “Um, no!” (Person 2 is now out of the game!)
See what I mean? Lots of fun. If only the multitude of questions in life were as jovial and inviting as this party game, but they’re not. Questions in life are frustrating and discouraging. They leave us full of regrets and short on hope. They fill us with anxiety and drain us of confidence. They plague our minds, steal our sleep, and ruin (or increase) our appetite.
When I think of questions uttering within the pages of the Bible, many come to mind, but today I want to focus on a few in particular. The inquiries took place in the same place during similar circumstances and between the same group of people. They are questions spoken amid storm-tossed seas and wavering faith. And if you look closely, you’ll see a less-humorous version of Questions Only.
“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
We know the story. The disciples are in the boat with Jesus, sailing to the other side. Jesus, weary from teaching, was asleep in the hinder part of the ship when a storm arose. The disciples—many of whom were fishermen—recognized the tempest for what it was and fretted. In my mind’s eye, I picture these dark men, their wet hair plastered to their head and soaked clothing clinging to their bodies. They tug on ropes and fight the sails. Exhaustion causes their frail forms to heave with every breath as they struggle to keep their footing amid the tossing boat. In a panic, Peter turns to ask Jesus for instructions, but the Master is nowhere to be found. James sets out in search of Jesus, fearing the Messiah may have been thrown overboard in the chaos. Upon spying Jesus sound asleep, the beloved disciple cries out to the others. “He’s here! I found him.” Peter, being the one who liked to have all the facts, goes running and stumbles upon the slumbering form. Anger immediately rises to the surface, and he shakes Jesus by the shoulder. “Don’t you care we’re about to die?”
And, there you have it—question #1. Don’t you care? If I had a penny for every time one of God’s children uttered that question, I’d have enough money to buy my own fishing boat (not that I would want to, mind you). Don’t you care, Lord?
Don’t you care my heart is broken?
Don’t you care my health is fading?
Don’t you care the money is gone?
Don’t you care I’m all alone?
Don’t you care my kids are going astray?
Don’t you care I lost my job?
Don’t you care I feel lost and forsaken?
As we’ll see in the story, Jesus responds to the disciples’ question with a couple of questions of His own (which we’ll talk about tomorrow, Lord willing), but first, He responds with action. Not words, for words often fall shallow on a hurting heart. The old saying, “Actions speak louder than words” is true when we find ourselves in a state where we doubt everyone and everything we once knew to be true. Jesus would soon offer the disciples a rebuke for their lack of faith, but before that, He proved Himself faithful by rebuking the wind. “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased. Immediately. Abruptly. Quicker than it began. Jesus spoke, and the wind had no choice but to obey.
Jesus answered their question by stilling their storm. Did He care? Of course He cared. After all, He was in the boat too, wasn’t He? And even if He hadn’t been, He loved His disciples. He had plans for them and wanted what was best for them. He cared for them before the storm began, while it was raging, and long after it ended. In fact, the disciples would never realize just how much Jesus cared for them, for it is beyond human understanding, which means we’ll never understand it either. At least, not on this side of Heaven.
Now, I know some of you may be thinking, But Jesus hasn’t stilled my storm. It’s still raging, leaving me to wonder if He truly cares. I get that. I’ve been there. But here’s what we have to remember—the Lord’s care of us doesn’t always look like what we’re expecting. Based on the disciples’ reaction to Jesus calming the storm, I would dare to say that was not the “care” they were expecting. Perhaps they thought Jesus would get up and help them with the ropes and sails. Maybe they were looking to Him to give them words of hope and encouragement. They didn’t get either of those, but they got something better.
God is working in your storm right now, simply not in the way you imagined He would. It’s true that sometimes God calms the storm, but it is equally true that sometimes He calms us in the midst of the storm. It’s up to Him to choose how He works and how He shows His love for us. Sometimes it’s with a word; sometimes with actions. Sometimes He gives answers; other times, He gives hope. The important thing for us is to not be so blinded by what we expect that we fail to see the proof of God’s love and care for us.
Does Jesus care? You bet He does and don’t let anyone or anything tell you any differently!
Lord willing, we’ll discuss Jesus’ questions to the disciples tomorrow. Until then, don’t fear the storm. God is with you, and He can control the wind and waves.
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