Matthew 8:23-27

CHRIST IN THE SHIP

‘And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea … even the winds and the sea ohey Him.’

Matthew 8:23

I. The peril of the disciples.—The sea of Galilee, like all inland seas, was subject to violent hurricanes of wind. Such a tornado now swept over this sea and lashed it into madness. But, apart from natural causes, who raised this fearful storm? Was it an accident—one of those effects that seem without a cause? No; there was ‘a Divinity’ in it. It was because Christ was with them that this storm arose. What lessons are here for us!

II. The sleep of the Master.—His human nature was exhausted by His God-like acts. Here is a certain proof of His perfect humanity. Because of such proofs, people, ‘in the days of His flesh,’ would not believe in His Divinity. If they were to see Him now, they might not believe in His humanity (Hebrews 2:9).

III. The cry of the disciples.—What fear their cry indicated! But the cry of the disciples betokened great confidence as well as agonising fear. This confidence rested simply and exclusively on Him as their Lord. The ability and willingness of Christ always companion each other, and are always exerted when appealed to.

IV. The chiding of the Saviour.—It was full of tenderness. But why chide at all? Was not the fear of the disciples natural, and also inevitable under the circumstances of their great danger? Yes; but they, in the height of their fear, forgot that their Almighty Saviour was on board, and thought only of the raging tempest. His chiding, therefore, was followed immediately by His action. ‘He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.’ What a contrast! The wildest tempest hushed by Heaven produces the profoundest calm for the believer.

V. The marvel of the men.—Their exclamation evinces their deep feeling. The Lord of souls and of nature first calmed His disciples, then the sea of Galilee. And is it not so with us when God has done some great thing for us? We are indeed filled with wonder. But is this all? No; gratitude follows wonder, as summer follows spring. Men who are fearful in the storm should be grateful in the calm (Psalms 107:23).

Illustration

‘ “Rob Roy” Macgregor, as his canoe was passing Wady Fik, heard a “strange, distant, hissing sound ahead, where we could see that a violent storm was raging.… This torrent of heavy cold air was pouring over the mountain crests into the deep cauldron of the lake below, a headlong flood of wind, like a waterfall into the hollow.” He adds, “With my best efforts I could scarcely stem the force of this head wind.” ’