Have there been occasions in my own life when I invoked the Lords help and he restored peace and calm to my troubled waters? Less remarkable, perhaps, that the others wake him up. Yet Ryries Notes Say Otherwise. This indicates the severity of this storm. Jesus The story of casting out demons in the land of the Gadarenes, as told in Luke, is the lectionarys gospel reading for the same Sunday in year C. In other words, the lectionary picks out one of three versions of the story in each case. is the fullest; note how both the others omit the reproach of Mark Christ rebukes his disciples fears; Why are ye fearful? This scene is often pictured and is a favourite for times of stress and of The disciples said all these things and probably more as well. When he embarked on the boat, his disciples followed him. They awoke him with their prayers; Lord, save us, we perish. The Lord sits upon the floods, and is mightier than the noise of many waters. Observe, They call him, Lord, and then pray, Save us. They follow Jesus into the boat (R. V.). 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. Now the boat would not be a large one. He shows complete trust in the protection of God, whereas the disciples are seen to be of little faith. We return in this Matthew 8:23-27 23-27 It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a Saviour to trust in and pray to, who knows what it is to Matthew 8:23-27. _HILDA BRIGHT_ But observe, when he went to sea, he had no yacht or pleasure-boat to attend him, but made use of his disciples fishing-boats; so poorly was he accommodated in all respects. When next the waters seem about to close over me, can I remember to cry out to the Lord, in the certainty that my cry will be heard? The lake is in the famous rift valley, a natural fault line that runs from this region in the north down the Jordan River Valley to the Dead Sea and in fact all the way to Africa. Their petition is, Lord, save us. Of course, some of the more liberal writers would say it was simply a coincidence that the sudden storm would also have a quick ending, and Jesus, knowing that, rebuked it at the right moment. We have a sudden storm in the middle of the lake; the little fishing boat is about to go down; and the group of disciples are thrown into a panic, yelling all kinds of things. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. him. Mk. the parables which St. Matthew gives in chapter 13 25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, Lord, save us! But as you are studying Matthews account, only the points that Matthew makes should be your basic Bible study, because you are studying the passage in the way he wrote it in his gospel. St Mark, as usual, adds some interesting details: it was politics What is there lacking except in your faith? He was the Messiah, the King of Heaven and Earth. The story as told in Mark is the lectionarys gospel reading for the fourth Sunday after Pentecost year B (that is, in a couple of weeks). From this instance we see, that great faith in the habit may appear little in act and exercise. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. Matthew records in Matthew 13. Matthew 8:18-27 HIS DISCIPLES FOLLOWED HIM into the ship, and th And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. The disciples fear and panic is contrasted with Jesus sleeping on the boat. The ship or fishing-boat, i.e. How easily this was done, with a words speaking. Home COMMENTARY What is the meaning of Matthew 8:23-27? So when you come upon apparent discrepancies in the narratives (and some interpreters like to exploit these as errors), remember that the writers have a certain amount of freedom to put things in their own words, or to summarize, or to select only parts of the event for their book. they sailed was probably a small open boat with sails, such as was Now. Matthew 8:24. In fact, archaeologists found a first century fishing boat of this kind a few years ago. 26 Jesus responded, Why are you afraid? 4, 5) would be of interest as well since God caused a huge thunderstorm to assist Israel. In form, of course,and in effect alsothis was to them a rebuke. (1.) In fact, throughout the ancient Near East the sea was the symbol of Sheol, the abyss, the evil enemy. Am I of little or of great faith? (1-2) The leper makes his request of Jesus. Psalm 8 had said that God made man a little lower than the angels and gave him dominion over creation. Of all the gospel writers Matthew is the most orderly. Matthew begins "And seeing the multitude, he went into a mountain: and The freshwater sea is only about 13 miles long and 8 miles across. (Delivered Sunday, August 28, 2005 at Christs errand into the world was to save, but those only shall be saved that call on the name of the Lord, Ac 2:21. Of course not. But that is certainly what I meant, put in other words that the fellow student would understand better (he was not in the habit of listening well). Each gospel writer includes some of the things that happened there in the boat. Very striking were its remoter results. of life. A typical boat on the Sea of Galilee was relatively small. I. there, a hand outstretched to save us from anxiety, darkness and despair. Jesus did not rebuke them for their request. It is now on display in a lovely new museum there on the shores of the lake at Genneseret. As He and his disciples were in a small Christ reproved them first, and then delivered them; this is his method, to prepare us for a mercy, and then to give it us. So Matthew uses their words to drive home his point that Jesus is truly unique, for He is sovereign over nature. STILLING OF THE TEMPEST. He is saying essentially the same thing that Matthew said. The sea became severely agitated so the Do you still have no faith? Luke simply says, Where is your faith? This is a little different because they are all reporting what Jesus said, not what different people said. Why are ye fearful?8. Luke both place the incident after the series of parables which St. His dislike of their fears: Why are ye fearful? church He rebukes the wind; the former he did as the God of grace, and the Sovereign of the heart, who can do what he pleases in us; this he did as the God of nature, the Sovereign of the world, who can do what he pleases for us. _Behold, there came a leper and worshipped him._ After Jesus gets into the boat to go to the other side of the sea and His disciples follow Him. over the wind and the waves. A double rebuke given by our Saviour. section to matter which resembles that of Mark and Luke, and That will be a primary focus of the study. better rendering. So it is always in His life, where, side by side with the signs of humiliation and participation in mans weakness, we ever have tokens of His Divinity breaking through the veil. 24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. The church may be like to be drowned, and Christ may seem to neglect the matter.5. wisdom The disciples wonder at what kind of a man this was could ultimately be answered only by an understanding of the incarnation, God with us. When the sayings were particularly important teachings, or teachings that were repeated frequently, then they might put more of the exact phrasing in their gospel reports. Open Matthew 8:23-27. The poor disciples, though used to the sea, were in a great fright, and in their fear came to their Master, Mt 8:25. As He lay asleep He showed the weakness of manhood; but He woke to manifest the power of indwelling Divinity. II. There are three parts, based on the three things that were said. He slept at this time, to try the faith of his disciples, whether they could trust him when he seemed to slight them. How came we ever to question His power? Open Matthew 8:23-27. 23 As he boarded the boat, his students followed him. 24 And look! The sea became severely agitated so the boat dipped into the waves, but he was sleeping. 25 They came and roused him saying, Lord, save us! This becomes the powerful thrust of the passage to all subsequent believers. He chose to go by water. 'Why are you afraid, you of little faith?' It is a sign of His true manhood, of His toil up to the very edge of His strength. We might imagine Mom or Dad saying cut it out! to the kids bickering in the back seat of the car. We may feel Jesus is asleep, not near us. The men marvelled.11. It had not been much about, if he had gone by land; but he chose to cross the lake, that he might have occasion to manifest himself the God of the sea as well as of the dry land, and to show that all power is his, both in heaven and in earth. Can we hope ever to get to the other side of this cloud? This was the Messiah, the one everyone believed would be the Lord of all the earth. who followed Him must be ready to put all other considerations to JESUS STILLS THE STORM (8:23-27). The other rebuke was but the sequel to this; its complement, as it were. the ship. Structure. In between their request and their amazement is Jesus rebuke of their weak faith. You see that particular mention is made of this one special case, and, 25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, Lord, save us! .(2:5-9). Hence, the question, Why are you afraid? It is a rhetorical question not meant to be answered, but meant to tell them that since He was there they had nothing to fear. That sleep may have a symbolical meaning for us. Choose music to play during the daily prayer. In addition to the items mentioned above, Mark adds some more information. Many that have true faith are weak in it, and it does but little. 1. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. Choose the size of the text for your daily prayer. 23. When you compare stories in these three gospels, remember that the writers have the freedom to summarize the speeches or to put the sayings in their own words. In these nature miracles, though, Jesus was demonstrating what God had intended for humans to be. 23. But there are a couple of apparent difficulties that you would have to deal with in studying this passage. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us! of His ministry summarised as teaching and preaching and healing _Excursion to the eastern shore with its incidents_ (Mark 4:35 to Mark Many would be content to go the land-way to heaven, that will rather stand still, or go back, than venture upon a dangerous sea; but those that would rest with Christ hereafter must follow him now wherever he leads them, into a ship or into a prison, as well as into a palace. and tempests shew the attempts of the wicked spirits to overturn the Storms in the voyage-even when sailing according to the (Parallels: Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25) The power and grace of Jesus Christ put forth for their succour: then the Lord Jesus awaked, as one refreshed, Ps 78:65. MESSIAH'S WORK AS COMPLEMENTARY TO HIS TEACHING. Here it simply reports that they went with Him in the boat. HEALING OF THE comparison of these it would seem to follow that the miracle was not Bible The disciples faith in forsaking all and following Christ, was great faith, but in this present act their faith was week, through the prevalency of their fear. The disciples application made to him; they awake him with a sad outcry Lord, save us: we perish. 24And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. Imminent and sensible dangers will drive people to him who alone can help in time of need. While Jesus sleeps, a violent storm rages and the disciples are fearing for their lives. through his teaching (chs. (Matthew 8:23-27) By Ted Schroder, www.tedschroder.com January 8, 2017 "Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. to go to Decapolis by boat across the Sea of Galilee. HIS DISCIPLES, probably the Twelve, though others followe GENERAL CHARACTER. 12). The reason for this is the account of the calling of Matthew is reported in Matthew 9:9, but it would have to have been before these events on and around the sea for the simple reason that Matthew was there. In one sense, the present scene of the calming of the storm is even more striking. What is the storm-tossed sea that threatens my spiritual existence? heart that is at the heart of prayer. darkness - in the storms of life. Observe here, 1. One would have expected, that having Christ with them, they should have had a very favourable gale, but it is quite otherwise; for Christ would show that they who are passing with him over the ocean of this world to the other side, must expect storms by the way. And He casts all into the form of a question, thus softening rebuke, and calming their terrors by the appeal to their common sense. in such a way as to learn far more both of His mercy and power; in such a way, therefore, as to reach a greater calm and deeper faith in the end; and to wonder, therefore, now as much at our former fears as we did at His slumber before. 1. Learn hence, That the prevalency of fear in a time of great and imminent danger, though it may argue weakness of faith, yet it is no evidence of want of faith: in the midst of the disciples fears they believed Christs power. 3. that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. _MIRACLE OF THE WIND AND WAVES MATTHEW 8:23-27:_ Jesus had power even This is a prayer that will never go unanswered and which echoes through my heart, touching my deepest desires. _And, behold, a leper,_ &c. This same miracle is At its deepest it is about 160 feet deep, depending on the fluctuation over the years. And so their question is What kind of man is this? It too is a rhetorical question, not designed to be answered, but to express the idea that there is no one like this. Could there, indeed, have been greater love consistent with truth? music (LogOut/ The prevalence of our inordinate fears in a stormy day is owing to the weakness of our faith, which would be as an anchor to the soul, and would ply the oar of prayer. (2.) Jesuss rebuke of the disciples serves as a wakeup call to them. 3. A fishing boat from the first century A.D. that was discovered on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee in 1986 was 27 feet long and 7.5 feet wide. They would look back on this and always remember His Why are you afraid? because they would not be so afraid again in His presence. Jesus has also addressed a couple of would-be disciples, with remarks that underscore the costs of following Jesus. I stay with these words, pleading for Jesus' help. () of windthe waves beat into Ver 23. Ye, my disciples? All this kind of material you can gather from a good dictionary. Imagine yourself in the boat with Jesus. This seems to be in response to the press of the crowd, and makes sense of the otherwise sudden reference to the boat in verse 23. Home COMMENTARY Lesson from Matthew 8:23-27? That psalm describes a thunderstorm growing in the Mediterranean Sea and sweeping inland over Lebanon, causing damage to the trees and shaking the hills with an earthquake. But add the speeches and we see that Jesus calmed the storm at their request for help, but before He did it He rebuked them for their weak faith. The first verse refers to the close of the foregoing sermon: the people that heard him were astonished at his doctrine; and the effect was, that when he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him; though he was so strict a Lawgiver, and so faithful a Reprover, they diligently attended him, and were loth to disperse, and go from him. This story has long been valued by all true disciples of Christ. Observe, 4. What is it being saved to? He attacked the cause of their danger; the spring of their fears. and the ship was covered with waves. And that is certainly true here, for without the speeches we have a storm, the disciples panic, Jesus calming the storm, and the disciples amazement. Luke simply summarized it in a question to capture the essence of the rebuke. The storm was so great that the boat was being covered with the waves. They had been long acquainted with the sea, and never saw a storm so immediately turned into a perfect calm, in all their lives. Casting-out demons at Gadara. He also had faith in His Fathers protection even in the midst of a violent storm upon the sea. HIM. Now the King comes down among the people from the height from which He thinking about the Bible There was now as great a stillness in the hearts of those who looked on as there was in the elements round about them. 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