JESUS CALMS THE STORM

“And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him “And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.   And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.   And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.   And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matt. 8:23-27). 

I. A GREAT TEMPEST

“And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves.”

Mark 4:37, “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.”  This was a crucial event. The apostles reacted normally. Two questions in their thoughts, “Are we going to perish?” and “How can Jesus be sleeping through this?”

II. A DEEP SLUMBER

“but he was asleep.” Mark mentions that Jesus was in the “hinder part of the ship” asleep on a pillow (Mark 4:38). This verse reveals that Jesus was human. He suffered the same human frailties. “He hungered,” “He Thirsted,” “He tired!” Heb. 4:14, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

III. CONCERNED DISCIPLES

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.”

Matt. 14:31, “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matt. 16:8, “Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?”

Luke 12:28, “If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Noted that all these statements were made to His disciples. I would had fared no better!!!

IV. A STERN REBUKE

Matt. 8:26, “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” 

Why are you fearful. The most fearful thing is a life without Christ Why are you fearful? The most fearful thing is a life without Christ. If you are in the boat with Christ, you are safe!

O ye of little faith. In Luke, the phrase is, "where is your faith O ye of little faith! In Luke, the phrase is, "where is your faith?" what is become of it? You professed your belief in me, so is your faith gone already? In Mark it is, "how is it that ye have no faith?" That is, in exercise, their faith was very small, it could hardly be discerned.

V. A MIRACULOUS EVENT

Note what the Bible says, “A great calm!” Mark 4:39, “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” 

Acts 10:36, “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:).” There is something metaphorical about this verse. Christ brings peace to a world of unrest!

I. A MARVELED REACTION

“What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him This was not the first nor the last time that the disciples would be amazed at His words and authority.

Mark 1:27, “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” Mark 10:24, “And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them,Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”

1) You are always safe with Christ! LESSONS LEARNED 1) You are always safe with Christ! 1Pet. 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

2) There are no storms too violent that God cannot calm! Psa. 107:29, “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”

3) We still marvel at the works of God! Concerning the demon possessed man: Mark 5:20, “And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”

4) Jesus will always be the anchor of our faith! The anchor holds Though the ship is battered The anchor holds Though the sails are torn I have fallen on my knees As I faced the raging seas The anchor holds In spite of the storm!