BEN F. VICK, JR.
The event of Jesus stilling the storm is found in the three accounts of the gospel (Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25). It had been a busy day of teaching for our Lord. He had been teaching on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Chinnereth (Num. 34:11), the sea of Tiberias (John 6:1), or the lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1-2). He was tired. So, he and his disciples got into the boat. Other boats were traveling with them. Jesus fell asleep in the rear of the boat.
The sea of Galilee is shaped pear-like turned upside down with its stem toward the south. It is six miles wide at its widest point and twelve and half-miles long. Surrounding this lake are hills. They are 1500 feet high to the west, and to the east, they are 1800 feet high. Storms can come up quickly over the mountains and down upon the sea (Luke 8:23).
As Jesus slept that eve in the rear of the boat, a "great tempest in the sea" hit. The boat was covered with waves which beat into the boat. The boat began to fill with water. The disciples feared for their lives. So, they awakened Jesus and repeatedly said, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Then Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still." Immediately the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Jesus then said to his disciples, "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Mark’s account states, “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41.)
What are some lessons we can derive from Jesus’ having stilled the storm? There are many. Let us consider a few.
We should desire Jesus as a traveling companion as we cross the sea of life. Jesus promised that as his disciples carried out the Great Commission, he would be with them (Matt. 28:18-20). He had traveled with Israel through the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:1-3). The Lord accompanied Paul in his journeys (Acts 26:15-18; Gal. 2:20). He will be with us if we are obedient to him (Heb. 13:5-6).
Jesus was weary physically from laboring all day. He had been in the boat on the edge of the shore teaching the parables that we read in Matthew 13 and Mark 4. Teaching is wearisome. I do not know the amount of energy expended in preaching or teaching for thirty minutes to an hour. I know that by the end of Lord’s day, my energy level is low. Jesus was human. He grew weary. When he was traveling through Samaria, we are told that Jesus was “wearied with his journey” (John 4:6). On another occasion, Jesus said to his disciples, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31.) Though Jesus was the Son of God, he was also the Son of Man. We see the humanity of Christ. What a perfect mediator for us (1 Tim. 2:5).
Stormy days come upon the sea of life even when Jesus travels with us. Yes, when Jesus travels with us, there are periods of peace upon the placid waters of life; but the storms will come too. Christianity does not exempt us from troubles (Matt. 5:10-12; 2 Tim. 3:12). It helps us deal with the concerns. Paul had trials (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Epaphroditus was sick, nigh unto death, but God had mercy on him, as well as on Paul, lest he should have sorrow upon sorrow (Phil. 2:25-27). Timothy had stomach issues (1 Tim. 5: 23).
And what is our reaction toward the troubles and trials of life? Do we allow our fears to wreck our faith? Is our faith only strong when the waters are peaceful? But our lives are in danger! So was theirs, they thought. “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Are we like his disciples in that boat? Though Jesus is with us, we are deathly afraid of losing our lives? I am not saying throw caution to the wind, but if we believe that Jesus is with us, why be afraid? Paul knew from the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions were waiting for him in Jerusalem. Did he balk? Did he refuse to go? What did he say? What kind of faith did he have? Luke records, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24.) Fear would not keep him from doing God’s will. Are you aware of those who will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone? The first listed are “the fearful” (Rev. 21:8).
Jesus rebuked the winds. Then he rebuked his disciples: “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:41.) How strong is your faith? The Wise Man said, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.” (Prov. 24:10.) Would Jesus rebuke us for lack of faith?
After Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, “there was a great calm.” The eyewitness Matthew said, “But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matt. 8:27.) The miracles that Jesus did were to instill faith in men's hearts (John 20:30-31). A meditation on the many miracles that Jesus did will increase our faith too. Then, we can say, “What manner of man is this?” He is the one who truly cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He will be with the faithful in living and in dying. Let us not fear but increase our faith.