Christ stills the storm
Matthew’t:8:18: Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
Matthew 8:23-26 23: And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24: And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25: And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 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.
Mark:4:35-41 35: And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36: And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37: And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38: And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 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. 40: And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41: And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Luke:8:22-25 22: Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23: But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24: And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25: And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
The Sea of Galilee was known for its spontaneous, raging storms. Although it has many names, most New Testament readers recognize “the Sea of Galilee” as its common designation. It is also called the Sea of Kinnereth (Num. 34:11; Josh. 12:3), the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1), the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1; 21:1), and sometimes simply “the lake” (John 6:16).
Set in the hills of northern Israel, the Sea of Galilee is nearly 700 feet below sea level. It is nearly eight miles wide at its widest point, and more than 12 miles long from north to south. In places, the sea plunges to depths of 200 feet.
Around the sea, the hills of Galilee reach nearly 1,400 feet above sea level, and the mountains of the Golan Heights (called the Decapolis in Jesus’ time) reach more than 2,500 feet.
The sea’s location makes it subject to sudden and violent storms as the wind comes over the eastern mountains and drops suddenly onto the sea. Storms are especially likely when an east wind blows cool air over the warm air that covers the sea. The cold air (being heavier) drops as the warm air rises. This sudden change can produce surprisingly furious storms in a short time.
Such storms result from differences in temperatures between the seacoast and the mountains beyond. The Sea of Galilee lies 680 feet below sea level. It is bounded by hills, especially on the east side where they reach 2000 feet high. These heights are a source of cool, dry air.
In contrast, directly around the sea, the climate is semi-tropical with warm, moist air. The large difference in height between surrounding land and the sea causes large temperature and pressure changes. This results in strong winds dropping to the sea, funneling through the hills.
The Sea of Galilee is small, and these winds may descend directly to the center of the lake with violent results. When the contrasting air masses meet, a storm can arise quickly and without warning. Small boats caught out on the sea are in immediate danger.
The Sea of Galilee is relatively shallow, just 200 feet at its greatest depth. A shallow lake is “whipped up” by wind more rapidly than deep water, where energy is more readily absorbed.
There are several things to note in this story. First, Jesus gave a command to go to the other side. He did not tell them that they would go to the center of the lake and sink. So Jesus was in faith about going to the other side, and he was then able to go to sleep in the boat. He was doing what Psalms and Proverb says about sleep.
Psalms:4:8: I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Proverb:3:24: When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
The second thing to note in this story is where Jesus and the disciples were going. They were going to the other side of Galilee to the Gadarenes. There he would take on the demoniac man with the legion of demons. Satan was resisting what would happen to his stronghold.
Mark:5:1-2 1: And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 5:2: And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Jesus had been compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to the other side of Galilee. This is one of the few times he went there. Most of his ministry was on the west bank of the Galilee. He knew of the journey ahead, but he was in faith, so he could rest.
1 Peter:5:8-9 8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Isaiah:59:19: So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
The third thing to note about this situation was that these disciples were fishermen. So they had been out on that same sea many times. Therefore if they were afraid that they would die, it must have been a great storm. It tells in both Mark and Luke that it was a wind storm. It probably was like a tornado.
Matthew says it was a great tempest. So all three mention it’s greatness.
The disciples had quickly forgotten what had just happened before their journey. Jesus had just given the parable of the mustard seed. He had also healed all that had come to him. They also had forgotten what God had previously given in the Word about the sea, and his power over it.
Nahum:1:3: The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
Jesus then stood and rebuked the sea and it became calm. He was doing what God told us to do when a wind arises in Psalm 107.
Psalms:107:19-31 19: Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20: He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.:21: Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! :22: And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. 23: They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24: These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25: For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26: They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27: They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. 28: Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29: He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30: Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31: Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Jesus then turns to the disciples after he speaks to the wind, and asks them where their faith is. Matthew says he speaks of their little faith, whereas Mark and Luke say that he says they have no faith.
In other words, he was telling them that they could have done what he did. They could have spoken to the storm, but instead they were astonished that the storm obeyed his word. James later may have been thinking of this storm when he wrote how important it was to pray in earnest, expecting results.
James:5:16-18 16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17: Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18: And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Christ walking on the sea
Matthew:14:20-36: And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21: And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. 22: And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23: And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24: But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25: And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26: And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27: But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28: And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29: And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30: But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31: And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32: And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33: Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. 34: And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 35: And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 36: And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Mark:6:42-56 42: And they did all eat, and were filled. 43: And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. 44: And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. 45: And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46: And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47: And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48: And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49: But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51: And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52: For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. 53: And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54: And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55: And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56: And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
John:6:13-29 13: Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. 14: Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. 15: When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. 16: And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17: And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. 18: And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. 19: So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20: But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. 21: Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. 22: The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; 23: (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) 24: When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. 25: And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? 26: Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27: Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28: Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Ever since Peter began to sink, some have criticized him. But, I have yet to see any of his critics repeat his feat. Examining Peter walking on water in response to Jesus’ walking on water, we learn eight things.
1. Look for Jesus and keep looking to Jesus. Although a storm surrounded Him, Peter looked to Jesus. The only problem was that he stopped looking at Jesus. When life is a tumultuous storm, look for Jesus and keep looking to Jesus.
Psalms:77:16-19 16: The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. 17: The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. 18: The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 19: Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
2. When Jesus commands you, obey Him. Jesus told Peter to “come” to Him on the water. Even though it made no sense, Peter did what Jesus said. This is obedience–doing what Jesus says.
Psalms:147:18: He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
Isaiah:55:8-11 8: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10: For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
3. Faith is simply taking the next step. Peter took one step to get out of the boat and onto the water. Peter was doing just fine when he was focused on the next step, and got into trouble when he lost sight of his next step.
1 Peter:2:21: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
4. Faith unleashes the supernatural. Peter did not experience the supernatural power of God that allowed him to walk on water until he trusted and acted on that trust by stepping out.
Isaiah:43:15-17 15: I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. 16: Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; 17: Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
5. Fear will sink you. When Peter had faith, he walked on water. When he had fear, he sank in the water. Fear will sink you.
James 1:6-8 6: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7: For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
6. Jesus saves you from many things. Jesus not only saved Peter from hell, but on this occasion Jesus saved Peter from drowning.
Isa:43:2: When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
7. A little faith is better than no faith. The Lord Jesus spoke of Peter’s “little faith”. This means that he was capable of even greater sustained faith. But, the guys in the boat apparently had no faith.
James:1:22-24 22: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
8. You can choose to worry or worship. In an instant, the men went from worrying about their circumstances to worshiping their Christ.
Revelation:14:7: Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Goode Christian: learning how to be a good Christian in today's world. 