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MATTHEW - Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
PART 2 - Christ teaches and Ministers in Galilee (Matthew 5:1 - 18:35)
B - The Miracles of Christ in Capernaum and its Surroundings (Matthew 8:1 - 9:35)

5. Jesus Calms the Storm and the Waves (Matthew 8:23-27)


MATTHEW 8:23-27
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 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25; Acts 27:22-34)

Christ could have prevented this storm and have prepared His disciples a pleasant passage, but that would not have been so much for His glory and the confirmation of their faith as their deliverance was. One would expect that having Christ with them, they would always have favorable passage. On the contrary, Christ shows us that passing over the ocean of this life to the other side with Him, violent storms should be expected along the way.

Christ does not always provide His disciples with physical comfort and ease. Yet He saves them in the midst of storms, tempests and perils, for Satan spares no effort to abolish Christ’s protection and surprise his followers with his tricks, deceptions and traps. The Christian church is certainly to face, while on earth, attacks, disturbances and divisions.

Christ was asleep in the boat with peaceful mind despite the imminent danger. He slept to show that He was living as a mortal man like us with the exception of being sinless. His plentiful work made Him weary and sleepy, yet because He had no guilt, He had no fear within to disturb His repose. He who walks with Christ into the ship of the church, across the ocean of life, will become secure in spite of the eminent dangers, for the faithful and the mighty Savior is with him. Enter Christ’s boat and do not be afraid, for He is the best helmsman. If you hand to Him the steering wheel of your life, He will definitely bring you to the safe harbor of eternal peace.

Your fellowship with Christ does not keep you from sudden or dangerous storms, which might threaten you even with sinking. Such experiences are ordinary. We must learn from them that the church is not secured by man and no one can protect her except her Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

The experienced fishermen continued their exhausting work in the midst of the tempest, emptying the boat of the incoming water, but when the rough sea covered them with overwhelming waves, they became afraid and disturbed and began to cry. Their boat was filled with water and was about to sink. They lost patience, awoke the sleeping Jesus and shook Him crying, “Lord, save us! Don’t You see we are in trouble? How do You sleep while we are on the verge of destruction?”

Christ got up from His sleep immediately in the midst of the deadly dangers. He did not save them instantly, but rebuked them, for the danger was not because of the rough sea, but because of their little faith at the time of testing. Christ demands from His followers a brave and absolute trust in the care and protection of their heavenly Father at every moment of their lives, for fear is not in line with God’s love.

Christ then rebuked the raging winds and the sea. When He commanded them with His words to calm down, they calmed down, and there was a great calm. Horror gripped His disciples when they saw this miracle, for they had seen the evidence that Jesus is the Lord of nature as well. Wherever Christ rules heavenly peace will come into the hearts. When are you going to worship Jesus, believing in His dominion over nature, nations and troubles? Commit yourself to Him and you shall live in peace amidst disturbance, protected in the pit of death.

PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Almighty. Please forgive me my little faith at the time of danger. Strengthen our love for You that we trust You in full confidence. Abide with us that we shall not lose hope at the time of distress. Open our eyes that we may see You and realize that You triumph over all powers, nature and hardship, and that You love Your people constantly.

QUESTION:

  1. Why did Jesus rebuke His disciples amidst the danger?

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