Category: New Testament
Scriptures:
Matthew 8:23-8:27
Mark 4:35-4:41
Luke 8:22-8:25
Matthew 8:23-8:27
23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
24 Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.
25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”
26 He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27 The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-4:41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.”
36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him.
37 A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?”
39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”
41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Luke 8:22-8:25
22 Now on one of those days, he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out.
23 But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.
24 They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm.
25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
Commentary
Not many people can say they’ve been on a small boat during a terrible storm. However, many situations in life make you feel like you're caught in the middle of a storm in a slowly sinking boat. It can be anything from a broken family, the death of a loved one, or a failed relationship. These life events can often lead to our faith being deeply shaken.
The disciples who lived and walked with Jesus weren't always 100% filled with faith, even while witnessing His miracles and hearing His message firsthand. They were much like us in that respect. But, just as Jesus could save the disciples, He can also rescue us from the storms of everyday life.
When giving the order to go to the other side of the lake, Jesus knew that a storm was approaching. Even though a storm was brewing, He decided to set sail into the sea. One quick word from Jesus calmed the storm, demonstrating both Jesus' humanity and His deity. Jesus Christ alone can make the wind and water obey. As a result, the storm subsided, and the sea calmed.
Christians can be comforted by this while engulfed in their own personal storms. A person's faith in Christ is never misplaced. If He can calm the storms of the sea with one word, then He can calm the storms of life as well.