Matthew 8-9 contains 10 miracle stories. The one we’re considering today involves both a testing of Jesus’s disciples and a further demonstration of Jesus’s authority in deeds of power.
The focus of this passage falls on the disciples and discipleship.
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A windstorm suddenly arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves, but he was asleep (Matthew 8.23-24).
Matthew states that not only did Jesus get into the boat, but he also uses his keyword for discipleship, noting that as Jesus led, the disciples followed. That is the nature of discipleship.
We recall Henry Blackaby’s wise words: “You can’t stay where you are and go where Jesus is.” This is the nature of discipleship.
Discipleship is often tested, and again, Blackaby is right. Our testing brings about a “crisis of faith.” Are we going to trust Jesus and keep on following, or are we not?
In the previous section, Jesus told a would-be disciple that He had nowhere to lay His head (verse 20). And yet, He is now at home everywhere and untroubled by a storm at sea, fast asleep in the boat.
In every generation, Christians recognize the problem of the disciples. There is a fierce storm that threatens their existence, and Jesus seems to be unmoved and asleep. What is to be done?
And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a dead calm (Matthew 8.25-26).
The Lord who saves His disciples is also the Lord who saves His church. The church has gone through many trials and tribulations, but it has emerged stronger and more resilient. This is because the Lord’s hand is upon it, guiding and protecting it from harm.
Throughout history, there have been countless examples of the Lord’s intervention in the lives of His followers. Time and time again, He has demonstrated His love and commitment to them.
It is estimated that 40 million people have left the church in America over the last few years. The reasons are varied, and the fact that so many are leaving is very disconcerting.
We need to be reminded that the Lord is here for the church because we are His representatives on Earth.
Jesus rebukes the disciples because they have not fully trusted or appreciated the one who is their Master.
The disciples have responded to Jesus’ call to discipleship. They have left all of their occupations and are in the process of risking their lives. They must also understand that the one who has called them will also preserve them.
If it was true for the band of followers of Jesus in the first century, it is certainly true for us today.
As in other instances, Jesus spoke the word, and the storm became calm.
This was a supernatural event that symbolized the deep peace and security that belongs to those who follow Jesus and trust him in the storms of life.
The disciples recognized that Jesus was no ordinary person when even the elements of nature, the wind, and the sea, obeyed his word.
They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him? (Matthew 8.27).
Today’s Application
Matthew provides a brief account of a remarkable experience the disciples had with Jesus. There are lessons we can learn from this passage and apply to our lives.
First, Jesus leads his disciples. As his followers, our role is to walk behind him, learn from him, and do what he shows us.
Second, we know that even though we follow Jesus, storms will come our way. Jesus may seem asleep and not paying attention to our difficulties. However, he is with us, and we can rely on that to be a fact of our existence.
Faith involves committing to Jesus, surrendering our lives to him, and trusting him to provide for us at all times.
What does he give us? He offers his peace, and a sense of well-being even during a storm.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 