Where is your faith?

A Reflection from the passage Luke 8:22-25

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
24The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

Can faith be missing? Or, could it just be dead, like what James 2:17 says? But actually, everyone has faith. We believe those people who are important to us. They have a special place in our heart.

In fact, even the most evil person can put his trust to someone and could be trusted by some. Our faith is the most important thing to God. He looks at the core of our being, if, like our loved ones, He has a special place in your life.

The Atheist chose not to believe God. They deny the existence of a Supreme Being. They deny the evidences that point to the Mighty Creator.

Those who have no knowledge about God are Ignorant, because how could they possibly believe the things they do not know. So someone must reveal to them the knowledge about God (Romans 10:14). Sometimes it’s God who makes the self-revelation (Romans 10:20).

The other one refers to Christians, those who believe in God through his son Jesus Christ. Those who put their faith in him are called children of God (John 1:12).

However, we see from the passage that Jesus questioned the faith of his disciples. Despite Jesus was with them, they were shaken by the strong wind. They were afraid. So fear is the opposite of faith. That’s what the disciples have felt at the middle of stormy waters.

Where is your faith? What does this question imply? The Bible says,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Heb. 11:1)

In other words, faith means believing in God we do not see, feel or touch! Faith in God gives us peace in the middle of the storm or problem.

There is nothing to fear, beside God, when we have entrusted our lives to him. Faith means putting your complete trust to the object of your faith.

So when Jesus said to his disciples “Where is your faith?”, I would say he was actually asking “Who is the object of your faith?”. To simplify it further, he probably would say, “Who do you trust most?”.

And then he would continue to say, I thought you trust me, how come you are afraid of the storm. I thought you knew me already. You were my witnesses to the miracles I did.

You were there when I healed the sick, raised the dead, driven out demons, gave sight to the blind, and when I fed thousands of hungry people. I can command the nature. I am your Lord!

See, it is not about our faith. Instead, it is about to whom we have faith. We put our trust, hope, energy, and our life to the object of our faith. So we must be sure that those we trust are trustworthy.

Jesus has proven himself worthy of our faith, though he doesn’t have to, so that you and I will believe that he is son of God, he is God, and through him we can be saved. It takes only your faith that what he has done on the cross, he did it for you. Just accept it, just believe that he died for your sins, and he paid it once and all.

I can draw out some realizations from the passage that speaks about our faith.

Some of us may have not yet put their faith in Jesus. At one point in your life you will have to make decision. Who else can save you besides Jesus? He forgives everyone whose heart is ready to receive him as Lord. You can trust him all your worries and fears.

And also, some of us may have placed their faith in Jesus, but have not completely trusted him. What holds you back? Does following him fear you? Or, are you afraid to give up something for him?

Whatever your “relationship status” with God, simple or complicated, you have to realize that Jesus can calm the storm in your life.

You have to put your faith in him or bring it back to life if it has been lost or dead. Faith is both believing and trusting.