Matthew 8:23-27

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.

24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.

25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

into a boat (v.23) — to cross the Sea of Galilee from Capernaum to Gadara

tempest (v.24) — A storm so violent that it panicked the disciples, some of whom were fishermen.

Although the Sea of Galilee is but a small body, yet because of its position deep down between high hills, it is subject to sudden storms of great intensity, caused by shifting air-strata and heavy winds coming through the passes with tremendous velocity. These storms come up very quickly and often with scarcely any warning. — Ironside, page 96.

why are you fearful? (v.26) — He had told them to get in the boat and why — to get to the other side (v.18), not to die.

O you of little faith (v.26) — Christ used this phrase four times to His disciples: 1) Matthew 6:30 — in the Sermon on the Mount regarding worry; 2) Matthew 8:26 — in response to their fear; 3) Matthew 14:31 — to Peter when he doubted when walking on the water; 4) Matthew 16:8 — when his disciples were reasoning among themselves how to feed the 5,000.

rebuked (v.26) — He said “Peace, be muzzled” (Mark 4:39)

This event is also recorded in Mark 4 and Luke 8.

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,“Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35-41).

Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” (Luke 8: 22-25).

I think Morgan’s application has some merit. We tend to think that happiness is the default mode in this life and that troubles are the exception, and as soon as troubles arise, we focus on them and fight to be rid of them.

Sometimes it is better not to wake Jesus when we are troubled. There is a higher faith; a faith that waits for deliverance out of a storm; a faith that says, If he is here, it is all right; let the waves roll, let the waters beat. — Morgan, page 88.

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