The Miracles Of Jesus Calming The Storm

Matthew 8:18-27 Mark 4:35-41 Luke 8:22-25 Calming The Storm Matthew 8:18-27 Mark 4:35-41 Luke 8:22-25 The parallel passages of this miracle each give information that the others do not. Here are “some” of the information extras. Matthew gives us the reason for why Jesus wanted to get into a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Mark shows us that Jesus & His disciples were not alone on the lake. Luke supplies us with extra geographical information. With this in mind let us examine our first point and look into what we know contextually concerning this miracle.

Calming The Storm Jesus Calms The Storm

Jesus Calms The Storm Jesus tells His disciples to get ready the boat Jesus speaks to two before departing Jesus & the disciples set sail Jesus finds rest in the stern on a cushion Jesus tells His disciples to get ready the boat Jesus had been teaching all day long to a large crowd. It was evening now and Jesus was exhausted we will see. Jesus speaks to two before departing A scribe said “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus responded, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” A disciple says “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus responds “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Jesus & His disciples set sail Mark’s account tells us that “other boats were with Him.” We can see the intense drain Jesus was under with people even following Him once he got into a boat to leave. Jesus finds rest in the stern on a cushion It is hard to imagine the physical toll Jesus was under constantly. I have done many jobs in my life. I wielded in the cold and heat 60 to 70 hours a week for more than eight years. I work 100 to 108 hours a week for almost two years straight managing and running a restaurant. Also many jobs before and after. I have never been more exhausted at the end of a week like I am at the end of Sunday after teaching a class and preaching two sermons. I consider my week Monday through Sunday. Knowing this imagine how tired Jesus was after teaching all day each day.

Jesus Calms The Storm A storm arose on the lake

Luke points out that it “came down on the lake.” J.W. McGarvey in his book “Lands of the Bible” writes about a time when he was touring the Sea of Galilee. He writes that as they came down the east bank just opposite Tiberias the crew on the boat started chattering to one another in Arabic with great excitement. They tell him that they need to turn back north a storm is coming. McGarvey states, “We felt annoyed at the thought of thus turning at a right angle to our intended course when the sun was getting low, and it appeared to us that their fears were ill grounded.” Never the less they relented and head back toward Bethsaida. McGarvey recounts, “It was well that we so decided, for before we had gone one-third of the way across we were in the midst of a storm fully as severe as our boat could safely ride.” He goes on to say when they got through the storm to the bank they found the storm was such that it caused a leak that needed to be repaired.

Jesus Calms The Storm A storm arose on the lake Frantic the disciples wake Jesus Jesus calms the storm & His disciples Frantic, the disciples wake Jesus They woke Jesus and said… “Master, Master, we are perishing!” “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” It was no doubt chaotic. Jesus calms the storm & His disciples It is interesting that Jesus rebuked both the winds and the sea i.e. raging waves. We are not told what Jesus said to the wind but we are told what He said to the sea. Peace! Be still! After the winds stopped it was still necessary for the sea to become calm. Hence Jesus rebuked both the wind and the sea. It is interesting that Jesus also responded in three different ways as well. Before Jesus rebuked the wind and sea He said… “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” After the sea and wind were calm He said… “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” “Where is your faith.” There were three different statements made to Christ & Christ made three different statements. Not sure if there is any significance to that.

Calming The Storm The Lessons

We must count the cost of following Christ The Lessons We must count the cost of following Christ The scribe had to count the cost of following Jesus. Jesus does not reject this man’s offer nor does He refuse the man the opportunity to follow Him. Jesus wanted the man to ask himself if he was willing to follow Jesus even when difficulties arise. Are “we” willing to follow Jesus during difficult times? Are we willing, everyday, to take up our cross. Lk 9:23

The Lessons Luke 9:23 “…If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Are we willing everyday to be persecuted for Christ? Mt 5:11

The Lessons Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

We must count the cost of following Christ The Lessons We must count the cost of following Christ The disciple had to count the cost of obeying Jesus above all others. Jesus did not have a problem with people burying their loved ones. He didn’t go quickly to keep Mary from burying Lazarus. He didn’t stop John the Baptizer’s family or disciples from burying him. Jesus had a problem with the statement “Lord I will follow you but…” after he had already told this man to “follow Him.” That very thought shows there were thing more important to this man than Jesus. Luke’s account shows us Jesus had already asked the man to follow Him and do His will. Lk 9:59-60 “

The Lessons Luke 9:59-60 “To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ 60 And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ ”

We must count the cost of following Christ The Lessons We must count the cost of following Christ Are we willing to follow Jesus and do His will no matter what? People thought it was strange when I said from the pulpit a while back that I several times went to worship services when my wife went to the hospital in labor. Is that really any different than what Jesus asked this man to do? As children of God we have to count the cost of following Jesus and ask ourselves everyday “Am I really willing to be a disciple of Christ and put Him first above all?”

We must always evaluate our faith in God almighty The Lessons We must always evaluate our faith in God almighty It seems like it is easier to “be faithful” when everything is going great. It seems like it is much harder to stay faithful when everything is collapsing in around us. However that exact opposite is true The reason people seemingly lose faith and fall apart when the sky is falling on them is because they were not really faithful beforehand. Look at the disciple of Christ in our miracle account here. They were willing to follow Him “wherever He went” remember. Yet as soon as the storm came they ones with little to no faith. If we want to be the child of God that can wear the name Christian than we must be established in “the faith.” This is done by being rooted in Jesus. This is done by being built up in Jesus. Co 2:7 “

The Lessons Colossians 2:7 “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Calming The Storm The Miracles Of Jesus Brethren, as children of God we must constantly count the cost and evaluate whether or not we are worthy of wearing the name Christian. We must make sure we are rooted and built up in Jesus putting first Him and His kingdom. Question: Are you actively counting the cost and evaluating your faith?

God’s Gospel Plan Of Salvation Study God’s Word Romans 10:17 Have Faith In Jesus Hebrews 11:6 Repent/Turn To God Acts 17:30 Confess Jesus as Lord Matthew 10:32 Obey The Gospel Acts 22:16 Walk In The Light I John 1:7