The sea was calm and benign before Jesus entered the boat, but then afterward it became a threatening storm. Luther equates this tumult to the rancor of Satan whenever a person follows Christ.
As soon as the teaching about faith is in the picture and Christ steps into the ship, then, as the saying goes, it won’t be long before there’s threatening weather; the sun won’t shine any longer and the sea will rage and storm…. This all works together, if you want to be a Christian and follow this Lord, and step with Him into the ship, resigning your heart to Him and composing your soul in patience. For as soon as you commit yourself to this Lord and come with Him into the ship wind, storm, and buffeting will surely ensue…. But don’t despair….do not be afraid because of that but think rather; I didn’t get into this to gain the world’s favor; and I’m not going to give it up because of its rancor and raging.
Christians should expect persecution; we may be ridiculed for our faith, discriminated against, harassed, mistreated, tormented and, in some countries today, killed. Only in Christ can we weather these many assaults with faith and courage.
