a. They, the seasoned and self-confident fishermen, were unable to handle this particular storm. Note these facts about the disciples and the storm.

1) They were seasoned fishermen. They knew the sea and the boat; they knew how to handle themselves in the midst of any situation or trial. The same is true with many of us. We are seasoned at living and in handling the storms of life. We feel that no trial or situation can swoop down upon us beyond our control. We are completely self sufficient, or so we think and feel.

2) They were face to face with a storm so severe that they were not able to save themselves. No doubt they had faced storms before, but they had never confronted a situation as terrifying as this severe storm. Every-one of us will face a storm that terrifies us some day. The terrifying storm will be beyond our control. We will not be able to save ourselves.

3) They were frightened and terrified. They were completely helpless and hopeless, left to themselves. When the terrifying storm hits us, it will leave us fearful, helpless, and hopeless.

4) They apparently had tried to handle the storm without Jesus until the situation got out of control (see v. 25). This, of course, is the root of the problem in many of our situations: lack of trust and faith in Christ and failing to call upon Him soon enough to prevent desperation.

They were without the immediate help of Jesus. To them, He was asleep. Jesus was present, yet He seemed so far away; He seemed asleep. He was out of reach, unaware of their desperate plight, unconscious of their need—so the disciples thought. How often our lack of trust and sin cause us to feel that the Lord is unaware and out of reach and untouched by our need.

⇒ The situation was totally out of control, beyond their ability to handle.

⇒ They were about to perish and die.

⇒ They had waited and waited, tried and tried to handle the situation themselves. They were prideful men: big, sturdy, capable, seasoned, and prideful in their profession. They had always handled every situation before; they could handle this one, or so they thought.

(1) Imminent danger can drive us to Christ, but we need to remember three critical things.

(a) We can wait too long. We can die and slip into eternity before we know it.

(b) We run a terrible risk in waiting. We overlook something: a person who decides to wait until the last minute is not all that sincere about Christ, and Christ knows it.

(c) We waste a lifetime of living—really living in all the fullness of life. Abundant life comes only through Christ—the life that brings unbelievable confidence and assurance, security and self-worth, love and joy, peace and rest.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10).

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Ga. 5:22–23).

(2) There is one ingredient so often missed in asking Christ to save us—one ingredient that determines whether we are heard or not: a true sense of need—a desperate plea for help beyond ourselves—a crying out to the Lord Himself—a diligent seeking.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (He. 11:6).

(3) Their cry included the steps necessary for Christ to save them and us.

(a) They believed He could save them: so they came to Him.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).

(b) They confessed their need to be saved, that they were perishing.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Ro. 3:23).

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Ro. 6:23).

(c) They cried out in desperation for Christ to save them.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro. 10:13).

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Ro. 10:9–10).

(4) A desperate cry that will not quit will awaken the Lord to our need. No matter what it may be, persevering in prayer will awaken Him and bring the answer (see outline and notes Mt. 7:7–11).

The disciples were going through two human experiences, but they were aware of only one: the experience of terrible fear. What they failed to see was completely hidden to them. They were experiencing the root cause of fear: little faith. Their trust in Christ (that their lives were completely in His keeping and under His care) was lacking. Their trust was incomplete and immature. They were not sure that He was aware of their desperate need. But He was, just as He is aware of all needs—always. He was the One who asked, “Why are ye fearful?” It was as though He was shocked at their lack of faith.

(1) Christ was not disturbed with their calling and interrupting His sleep. He was disturbed with their fear and lack of trust. He is never disturbed with our crying out to Him.

(2) There is no excuse for a disciple’s fear. Of all people, believers are supposed to be the persons trusting Him, knowing that He is looking after their lives. Believers are to know His supernatural strength; they are supposed to walk through all things courageously, even death.

(3) The disciples neglected Christ. They could have prevented much of their problem if they had gone to Christ earlier. As pointed out earlier, they were trying to handle the situation by themselves, confident of their own ability. How often we walk in self-confidence, not paying enough attention to the Lord and His care. We always need to be calling upon Him, not waiting until the last moment, expecting Him to step in and meet our emergency (1 Pe. 5:7; Ep. 6:18).

(4) Christ rebukes fear and unbelief. Fear and unbelief dishonor Him. It says to the world that Christ is not enough. He is not strong enough and does not care enough and does not love enough to look after us in our trouble and sin. How foolish we are (Jn. 3:16; 1 Pe. 5:7; Mt. 11:28–30)!

(5) Faith is to be several things.

⇒ Faith is to be the foundation of our lives, not a beam for emergency support.

⇒ Faith is to be the flow of our behavior, not the serum for emergencies.

⇒ Faith is to be the permeating thought of our mind, not the sporadic thought aroused by need.

⇒ Faith is to be the constant plea of our heart, not the occasional cry of desperation.

(6) Storms and trials can lead to terrible discouragement and fear …

• fear that one has gone too far for recovery

• fear that no one really cares

• fear that one is a stumblingblock and a burden to others

• fear that there is no real reason for living

1. Christ arises when He is called upon. When we really mean what we pray, He arises to His feet in our behalf. He stands and confronts the situation head-on, meeting our needs beyond what we ask, in the very best way possible.

a. They now knew more about what it meant to call Him “Lord.” He was the sovereign Lord who possessed all power over nature—the same power that the prophets of old proclaimed for God.

b. They also knew more about what it meant to trust Him and His Word. He was able to control even the elements of nature. They could now depend upon His power to do whatever was needed. In Him, the power was available to control all things and to do all things.

1. Rest & peace are sought after a tiring day

a. At evening, Jesus was fatigued, tired

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

b. He was so fatigued, He went as He was—without any preparation

c. Other ships went also

2. Rest & peace can be experienced despite a great storm

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

a. The boat filled with water

b. The rest & peace of Jesus: He slept

3. Rest & peace are a concern to Jesus

a. The fear of the disciples, lest they drown

b. The power of Jesus to control the situation

4. Rest & peace come through two sources

a. Through faith

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

b. Through Jesus, His power & His Word, 39