JESUS CALMS THE STORM

Introduction: Our passage for today is about Jesus calming a storm. Matthew and Mark also record this incident. Mark mentions there were other boats, probably full of people, sailing with them.

I. The setting vs. 22-23>>Luke 8.22-23

A. Jesus was in Galilee teaching the crowds (parable of the sower)

B. For some reason (not given), Jesus wanted to go to the east side of the Sea of Galilee

C. Storm

1. Winds come down from Mount Hermon (over 9000 feet tall, for comparison, Pike’s Peak is over 14,000 feet) (Kansas storms usually come from the west, high to low, cold to warm)

2. Lake is about 700 ft below sea level

2. Typical fishing boats could hold about 15 people

D. Water was blowing over the sides of the boat (Matthew and Mark)

E. Jesus was resting and had fallen asleep

F. The disciples woke Him out of fear

II. What Jesus did vs. 24-25>>Luke 8.24-25

A. Rebuked the winds and water

1. ἐπιτιμάω: to command, with the implication of a threat

2. “Rebuke” may imply a confrontation; however, no one is mentioned, unless Satan is implied as sending the winds.

3. This was probably an instant obedience on the part of the wind and waves

B. He rebuked the disciples: Where is your faith?

1. Psalm 107.23-31

2. They had recently witnessed many miracles; such as: healing the sick, casting out demons, even raising the dead, but all of those miracles were associated with people, at least as Luke records it. This miracle was on nature itself, completely different from the previous ones.

3. Vs. 13>>Luke 8.13

4. The point here is clear: the disciples should be able to rest in God’s care and to trust Jesus’ ability to care for them. The rhetorical form of the question (“Where is your faith?”) really makes it a statement: “You should be more trusting.” To overcome trial, one must have faith in God’s goodness. The faith in view here is not initial faith, but an applied faith that functions in the midst of pressure. It is a faith that has depth of understanding and can be drawn upon in tough times.

III. How the disciples reacted vs. 25>>Luke 8.25

A. With fear and amazement; their fear was probably greater then, than during the storm

B. The disciples asked the right question: Who is this?

1. Everything that happened to Jesus, happened for a purpose

2. This experience was designed to lead the disciples to a greater under-standing of who Jesus was.

IV. What we can learn

A. We can learn what they did; the Creator still has power over the creation

B. Just as it was impossible for that ship, with the Redeemer of the world on board, to founder, no matter how many storms broke over it, so it is equally impossible for the church of Christ, the body of which He Himself is the Head and Preserver, ever to be destroyed, notwithstanding all the forces of hell that continually assail it. To everyone who is full of fear and doubt as to the future of His kingdom, He puts the question: “Where is thy faith?” He is on board the ship of His church and therefore it can never perish, no matter how the storms may break and rage over it. Even so, it is with the vessel of every believer’s life—it cannot perish, for Jesus, the Omnipotent Pilot, is on board.

C. We as followers of Jesus can, by His power, calm storms in the lives of others.

Conclusion: Jesus is the captain or pilot of the boats of our souls. He won’t stop all the storms of our souls, but He will see that we do not sink, if we keep our faith/trust in Him.