Luke 8:22, commentary and pictures

Jesus himself commanded the crossing to the other side of the lake, and at his word the disciples launched forth with him in the boat. On the broad deep water a sudden violent storm arose that threatened to sink them beyond what their skill could save, while he slept wearied from labor. At their appeal he commanded the wind and waves to be still, and they were saved by his divine power. The crossing teaches that in peril and the tempests of temptation people should remember Jesus is present with them and call on him in faith at once, instead of struggling alone in self-confidence until hope is lost. Though he reproves fearful unbelief and delay, he never fails humble appeals even when made only after self-effort has failed, but gives the help needed and delivers in the way he knows is best.

The Voyage Across the Lake

The verse opens a crossing that Jesus himself ordered, telling his disciples to go to the other side of the lake, and they launched forth at his word. When the boat later seemed to be sinking, the disciples remembered that they had set out at his command and that he was their only hope. Having dismissed the multitude, he sought rest from fatigue away from the dwellings of men on the far shore, which was comparatively deserted and secluded beside the shore they were leaving. They launched to be alone, yet other boats loaded with people who desired to learn more of his doctrine followed them across.

They went out in a little sailboat onto broad deep water, where the waves run high and toss the boat up and down and the spray dashes over it as it buffets and careens over the waves. To be brought there is to have the mind filled with the majesty of God and His works, for He holds the winds in His hand and controls the waters and at one glance beholds the highest heavens and the midst of the sea. Though finite beings on the water are mere specks upon the broad deep, angels are sent from His excellent glory to guard the little boat. Wearied by long and arduous labor and now relieved from the claims of the multitude, Jesus stretched himself upon the hard plank of the fisherman's boat and fell asleep. During the crossing a sudden, violent storm arose that threatened to sink the boat and left the disciples unable to save it.

In that peril Jesus commanded the storm to cease, wind and wave obeyed, and his followers were saved. After the night on the water they landed early the next morning with the others who had followed them. The crossing brought him to the opposite shore to bring his words to people who had not yet heard and to free two men from demons, and the healed men became witnesses to his power. The people there heard from the disciples of the danger on the lake and the miracle showing his control of the elements, but concern over lost property blinded them to the good of having him among them.

Trusting Jesus in Danger

Jesus was in the boat with the disciples when danger arose on the crossing he himself had commanded, and when their own efforts to save the boat failed they remembered they had launched forth at his word and that he was their only hope. They should have called upon him as soon as danger first appeared, instead of struggling to save themselves while forgetting he was with them. Their fear and their attempt to meet the storm by their own strength and skill showed unbelief and self-confidence, as if they must face danger alone.

At their appeal he commanded the storm to cease, and wind and waves became still so that his followers were saved. That instant obedience of the elements revealed his divine power and filled those who saw it with reverence. What happened on the lake teaches those in peril and trouble, and those overtaken by the tempests of temptation with flashing lightnings and sweeping waves, to remember that Jesus is with them and to call on him in faith instead of battling the storm alone in their own strength until hope is lost and they are ready to perish. He hears the agonizing, earnest cry and does not forsake those who trust him, and having the Saviour in the heart leaves no need for fear, for living faith in the Redeemer smooths the sea of life.

Though he sorrowfully reproves unbelief and self-confidence and rebukes delayed, fearful faith, he accepts humble appeals even when people seek him only after first trying to save themselves. He never fails to give the help needed to those who call, and he delivers from danger in the way he knows to be best. The calming of wind and sea stood as evidence of his power that strengthened the disciples' belief that he was the Son of God, so that when he was betrayed they could not believe he would die and hoped he would use his power to free himself from his enemies.