Luke 8:24

CHRIST AND THE ELEMENTS

‘Then He arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.’

Luke 8:24

There is much in that expression that ‘Christ rebuked the wind and the waves.’ You will miss a great part of the intention of the incident if you merely look upon it as a miracle of stilling a tempest.

I. Why did Christ rebuke the elements?—The word appears the language of one who either sees moral guilt, or who, in his affection, is indignant at something which is hurting those he loves. The elements, in themselves, cannot, of course, do a moral wrong.

(a) Is it possible that the prince of the power of the air had anything to do with that storm?—Was there some latent fiendish malice in that sudden outbreak of nature upon Christ and His Church? And was Christ indeed ejecting an evil spirit when He did just what He always did, and said just what He always said, when He was dealing with those who were possessed with devils? ‘He rebuked them.’

(b) There is another aspect in which we ought to see it.—We know that to the Second Adam was given what the first Adam forfeited—perfect dominion over all creation. In this light the present hurricane was like a rebellion, and Christ treated it as such, that He might show His mastership. Hence that royal word, ‘He rebuked them,’ and hence the instant submission.

II. The winds were the emblem of the external influences which affect and harass; the waves, of the inward heavings and distresses which those external influences produce upon the mind: the winds, the active, evil agencies of life; the waves, the consequence of the trials, when they fall upon you; because, as the wave answers to the wind, rising or falling with its swell or subsidence, so do our weak hearts beat or be still, and respond sensibly to the ills about us.

III. Do not wish exemption from evil, neither from sorrow, nor yet from temptation. Immunity from grief is not half as great as God’s consolation under it. Exemption is not the true peace, but deliverance, victory; the peace which Christ makes out of the materials of our troubles; the silenced fear, the subdued restlessness, the sealed pardon, the interposing grace, the triumph of an omnipotent love.

Illustration

‘This was, no doubt, a mighty miracle. It needed the power of Him Who brought the flood on the earth in the days of Noah, and in due season took it away; Who divided the Red Sea and the river Jordan into two parts, and made a path for His people through the waters; Who brought the locusts on Egypt by an east wind, and by a west wind swept them away (Exodus 10:13; Exodus 10:19). No power short of this could in a moment turn a storm into a calm. ‘To speak to the winds and waves’ is a common proverb for attempting that which is impossible. But here we see Jesus speaking, and at once the winds and waves obey! As man He had slept. As God He stilled the storm.’