18 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm suddenly arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves, but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 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. 27 They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him” Matthew 8:18-27.
When the disciples who follow Jesus across the lake are immediately put to the test, water pours into the boat — it is being swamped by waves — and the disciples fear for their lives. They desperately cry out, Lord, save us! We are perishing! But notice that, as they surrender to their fears, Jesus reprimands them for having little faith — an allusion to those He mentioned earlier who are filled with anxiety and do not trust the heavenly Father
(6:25–34). Although the Sea of Galilee often had squalls, Matthew shows how the disciples are threatened by more than severe weather. First, the convulsion of the sea is more than a violent storm; the Greek words literally mean “a great shaking,” that is, an earthquake. This recalls a common Old Testament image depicting the tribulations God’s people would face in the end times, and so points to the severity of the disciples’ ordeal as they attempt to cross the sea. Also significant is the fact that Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, for the word “rebuke” is used elsewhere to describe Jesus’ rebuking evil spirits during exorcisms (17:18; Mark 1:25; Luke 4:41). This suggests — or hints — that demonic spirits are behind the sudden earthquake and storm afflicting the disciples.
The mysterious great calm that immediately comes over the sea demonstrates Jesus’ total authority over the powers that stirred the wind and waters. It reveals that Jesus possesses the power of the creator, who alone can tame the sea. This is why the disciples, who have already seen several miracles of Jesus, were amazed most at this one: What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?
So when you pray today ask the Lord to take all doubt away from you. Trust Him with everything in your life.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” Psalm 9:10.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9.
“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10.
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