(Mat 8:23-27 NIV) Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. {24} Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. {25} The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” {26} He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. {27} The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Christ had given sailing orders to his disciples (Mat_8:18), that they should depart to the other side of the sea of Tiberias, into the country of Gadara, in the tribe of Gad, which lay east of Jordan.
(Mat 8:18 NIV) When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.
The disciples encountered a life-threatening situation when they were carrying out God’s will. We should not think that when we are walking in God’s will, we would not encounter any difficult situations. If fact, somebody wrote “if everything is going wrong, you may be doing something right.”
Jesus chose to go by water. The disciples would not have experienced this life-threatening situation if He had chosen to go by land; but He chose to cross the lake, that He might have occasion to manifest Himself the God of the sea as well as of the dry land. The difficult situations in our life are occasions for God to manifest His power in them and to increase our faith when we see God’s miracles.
Jesus was asleep in this storm. We never read of Christ’s sleeping but at this time He was. This sleep was one of holy serenity, and dependence upon his Father. Those that can sleep quietly and sweetly in a storm truly have put his faith in God.
(Psa 4:8 NIV) I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
The disciples should have known that the boat that carries Jesus could never sink. How could God send His Son to earth on a mission and have that mission fail because His Son drowns? God’s will and promise cannot be thwarted. What God has promised to us in our situation will definitely come to pass. He will not allow any one of His promises to fail. On that basis, we can trust God and have peace.
When the right time came, Jesus woke up from His sleep to deliver everyone from the disaster. God would not tarry until it is too late for our situation. He will always come at the right time to save us.
(Psa 102:13 NIV) You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to sho
w favor to her; the appointed time has come.
He rebuked the disciples (Mat_8:26); “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” He does not rebuke them for disturbing Him with their prayers, but for disturbing themselves with their fears.
It is wrong to fear something that you can be assured will never happen. In this case, the disciples should have known that God would never allow the boat with His Son to sink. Likewise in our situation, God may have promised to deliver you. Do you still fear the worse? That fear does not please God.
(Josh 1:9 NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
When Moses led the Israelites to the border of the Promised Land, and sent spies into the land, the Israelites were afraid of their enemies when they should not have been. Because God had already promised to give them that land.
The reason why the disciples were afraid was because they had little faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
How easily Jesus calmed the storm, with only His word. Moses commanded the waters with a rod; Joshua, with the ark of the covenant; Elisha, with the prophet’s mantle; but Christ with a word.
The storm calmed immediately. We may be facing tremendous situations in our life and we can’t see how it would go away. With God’s miracle working power, that “storm” can be calmed instantly.
Source: biblestudytools.com
