Jesus Calms the Storm - Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Reflection: After Jesus offers the disciples and teachers of the Law the challenge of denying themselves and following Him, he invites them on a little boating adventure. Notice he could have gone by land to where they were going, but chooses this venue for their next learning lab. For all teachers notice it is sometimes good to get out of the classroom for the best lessons. We don't always learn best by being lectured all the time, but by experiencing truth in real life situations. In this case the disciples and Jesus were on a lake when a furious storm came upon the lake.
Having grown up in Michigan, the Great Lake state, I have seen quite a few of these quickly brewing storms sweep across the lake. It can be quite an awesome thing, but one thing is for sure you really don't want to be out on the lake but in the safety of your cottage. Now remember the boat the disciples were in was not a big cruise ship, but likely a small fishing boat. Now in the midst of this quickly developing storm, what is Jesus doing? Catching some shut eye!
So it is not surprising that they wake Jesus and say, "Lord save us or we are going to drown!" And then Jesus mildly rebukes them. For waking him up from a nap? No, because their fear took the place of their faith. Paul says to Timothy his disciple, "I did not appoint for you a spirit of fear or timidity, but one of power, love and self control." And why do most of us fear? We are afraid something bad is going to happen to us or those whom we love. Now that I am a parent, I have to fight off worrying about something bad happening to my kids. And to do this I have to turn to faith and trust that God is with them inspite of what they go through.
In this case Jesus answers their prayers and saves them by rebuking the winds and the waves, which leads to instant calm. Notice it didn't slowly calm down, but completely calmed down at Jesus' word. Not only do sicknesses and demons respond to Jesus' authority, but so do the wind and waves. The men are amazed. Who is this who even the winds and waves obey?
Where is fear threatening to seize you in your life? How can knowing Jesus' presence in your life help you when the winds and waves kick up? Like the disciples we often respond and react and say Jesus save us! And Jesus calls us to grow in faith knowing that Jesus will never leave or forsake us, and is always there with us in the boat.
Jesus we thank you that when we needed you the most, you rescued us from sin, death and the power of the devil. You call us to get into the boat with you as we seek others you have called us to. Amen.
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Reflection: After Jesus offers the disciples and teachers of the Law the challenge of denying themselves and following Him, he invites them on a little boating adventure. Notice he could have gone by land to where they were going, but chooses this venue for their next learning lab. For all teachers notice it is sometimes good to get out of the classroom for the best lessons. We don't always learn best by being lectured all the time, but by experiencing truth in real life situations. In this case the disciples and Jesus were on a lake when a furious storm came upon the lake.
Having grown up in Michigan, the Great Lake state, I have seen quite a few of these quickly brewing storms sweep across the lake. It can be quite an awesome thing, but one thing is for sure you really don't want to be out on the lake but in the safety of your cottage. Now remember the boat the disciples were in was not a big cruise ship, but likely a small fishing boat. Now in the midst of this quickly developing storm, what is Jesus doing? Catching some shut eye!
So it is not surprising that they wake Jesus and say, "Lord save us or we are going to drown!" And then Jesus mildly rebukes them. For waking him up from a nap? No, because their fear took the place of their faith. Paul says to Timothy his disciple, "I did not appoint for you a spirit of fear or timidity, but one of power, love and self control." And why do most of us fear? We are afraid something bad is going to happen to us or those whom we love. Now that I am a parent, I have to fight off worrying about something bad happening to my kids. And to do this I have to turn to faith and trust that God is with them inspite of what they go through.
In this case Jesus answers their prayers and saves them by rebuking the winds and the waves, which leads to instant calm. Notice it didn't slowly calm down, but completely calmed down at Jesus' word. Not only do sicknesses and demons respond to Jesus' authority, but so do the wind and waves. The men are amazed. Who is this who even the winds and waves obey?
Where is fear threatening to seize you in your life? How can knowing Jesus' presence in your life help you when the winds and waves kick up? Like the disciples we often respond and react and say Jesus save us! And Jesus calls us to grow in faith knowing that Jesus will never leave or forsake us, and is always there with us in the boat.
Jesus we thank you that when we needed you the most, you rescued us from sin, death and the power of the devil. You call us to get into the boat with you as we seek others you have called us to. Amen.
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