Luke 8:23-24 What Jesus was doing while He slept

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” (Luke 8:22–25, New Living Translation)

Given how taxing it was to minister to people, it's unsurprising that Jesus fell asleep during a storm. However, this one was unusually fierce. Several of the disciples were seasoned fishermen, used to being on Lake Galilee during storms. Even they were shaken up. 

What was Jesus doing while he slept? The disciples accused Him of doing nothing. Worse than that, Mark records their accusation: “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” [Mark 4:38, NLT] 

When life spins out of control, the temptation is to assume that the Lord doesn't care, or--if He cares--that His power is somehow limited or thwarted.

Jesus still cared for them. His power calmed the storm. But the deeper issue wasn't His care for them or His power. Jesus asked, "Where is your faith?"

His care didn't go into hibernation precisely because as He fell asleep, He trusted God to take care of all of them. While Jesus slept, He still trusted God.

Lord, even when there aren't storms in our personal lives, there is always turmoil in the world. Somewhere in our country or around the globe, there is suffering. Or injustice. Or discord. When upheaval gets intense, intensify our faith in You, even in the times when we, too, fall asleep. Amen.

Painting by Rembrandt: Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee (Source: Wikipedia)
I like this depiction because I can put myself in the picture... leaning over the side of the boat like the poor, non-fisherman disciple on the far right of the picture.