The Church In A Ship

The Roman Emperor, Caesar, was once sailing with his armed men on a campaign against Greece. They encountered a severe storm and fears were great. Caesar attempted to calm the fears of the sailors by reminding them with these words:

“Go on, my friend and fear nothing — you carry Caesar and his fortune in your boat” (source).

Paul reminded us that we have this treasure in "earthen vessels" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Vessels often carry precious cargo. Occasionally we read of treasures retrieved from the wreckage of ships sunk many years ago.

We remember when Peter, James, John, Matthew, Bartholomew and the rest of the apostles sailed the Sea of Galilee. Peter, Andrew, James and John knew that sea well. They knew the danger of storms and most likely had lost friends caught in storms there. Such a storm came, but this time Jesus was sailing with these men. Mark called it a “great storm” (Mark 4:37) and yet Jesus was asleep. The disciples cried, “Master carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38). Not for a moment do we believe the storm caught Jesus unawares. He always knew where He was and what was happening around Him.

Someone asked, “What if that ship had sunk?” But such could never have happened, for Jesus said to the sea: “Peace be still. And the wind ceased and there was great calm” (Mark 4:39).

If Jesus is in the ship wherein I sail, it will never sink. Yes, there will be storms and when I see only the storm, it is frightful and threatening. When waves crash over the bow, winds rip down sails and oars and rudder are useless, it is time and past time to remember that Jesus is sailing with us. He is asleep in the midst of the storm, but is totally aware of the winds and the waves.

Sail with Jesus, and when the storms come, as they surely will, you will ride out the storm and reach yonder shore safely. I dare not sail alone. To do so is to invite eternal disaster. Remember that Jesus can still any storm. —John Davis

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets